IFIC Answers Low Calorie Sweetner Question
May 25, 2008 by GiGi
Welcome back!
On my last post about the Food & Health Survey, you’ll recall I asked a question about the safety of artificial sweetners. I did receive a reply from them regarding that issue. Here is their answer:
Thank you for your question and we hope you enjoyed yesterday’s IFIC Foundation Food & Health Survey webcast.
To answer your question, there have been many studies conducted on the safety of low-calorie sweeteners, and there is widespread scientific agreement that low-calorie sweeteners are safe at current consumption levels, including for children and pregnant women.
Low-calorie sweeteners must undergo extensive testing before being approved for use in foods and beverages and as tabletop sweeteners. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five low-calorie sweeteners for use in foods in the US: aspartame, acesulfame-potassium (or Ace-K), neotame, saccharin, and sucralose. The FDA continues to support their safety, as do other regulatory agencies around the world.
Additionally, the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) Position Statement on “The Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners” states that low-calorie sweeteners can be consumed safely and can help with weight loss/maintenance. Extensive research has also shown their usefulness as a weight management tool.
Stevia is not currently approved by the FDA for use in foods. However, it is approved as a dietary supplement. Recent research on the safety of stevia could pave the way for its eventual approval for use in foods.
If you are interested in more information on the safety of low-calorie sweeteners and their use in weight management, here are some recommended Web sites:
à IFIC Foundation “Sweet Taste, Without the Calories” (developed in partnership with the Diabetes Care and Education Dietetic Practice Group of ADA): http://www.ific.org/publication
à Available next week! IFIC Foundation Continuing Education Module, “The Lowdown on Low-Calorie Sweeteners”: http://www.ific.org/adacpe
à ADA Position Statement: http://www.eatright.org/cps
à National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet “Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer: Questions and Answers”: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertop
à FDA article “Artificial Sweeteners: No Calories … Sweet!”: http://www.fda.gov/fdac
à “Aspartame: A Safety Evaluation Based on Current Use Levels, Regulations, and Toxicological and Epidemiological Studies.” Magnuson BA, Burdock GA et al. Critical Reviews in Toxicology. 2007;37:629-727. Abstract: http://www.informaworld.com
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Very interesting post – I am particluarly interested as my son is lactose intolerant and we do have to use some artificial sweeteners in his diet or buy a lot of sugar free products which have the same sweeteners in them. I just try to keep him on a healthy diet with plenty of fresh vegetables though I have to restrict how much fruit he has due to the sugar levels.
I am sure I will be back to read more of your articles.
Really? I didn’t know that lactose intolerant people had to also watch their sugar intake. Interesting.
Even though the FDA has done testing on the sweeteners, I would do some additional research on some known side effects of the sweeteners just to be sure.
I use xylitol.. all natural product and it actually helps regulate blood sugar…so no aritificial woes…..try it..it works great…carol stanley…
carol stanleys last blog post..Travelingl4Health