Is Sucralose Safe?

QUICK FACTS ABOUT SUCRALOSE

• Fact: Sucralose is safe for all populations and has been well-tested

More than 100 scientific studies conducted and thoroughly evaluated over a 20-year period demonstrate that sucralose has an excellent safety profile and is suitable for everyone. It is one of the most extensively tested food ingredients ever introduced, and has an exemplary safety record throughout the world.
Sucralose has been approved for use in more than 80 countries and by authorities including: the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives, the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Union, Health Canada, and Food Standards Australia/New Zealand.
Unfortunately, some individuals and organizations have taken results from some animal studies out of context, to try to raise doubts about the safety of sucralose (e.g. highlighting the results of a study that was not designed to assess a particular health parameter, while ignoring the results of other studies that were).

• Fact: Sucralose is safe for people with diabetes

Numerous studies show that sucralose is not recognized by the body as a carbohydrate and has no effect on blood glucose control or insulin response. These studies included high-dose prolonged-use studies in normal individuals and in persons with diabetes. The FDA has concluded that the overall data on sucralose supports its safety for the general population, including people with diabetes.

• Fact: Sucralose can be helpful in a weight reduction program

No-calorie sweeteners can be one tool in a healthy, balanced weight reduction plan. The US Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines recommend consumers choose beverages and foods that moderate their intake of sugars. Products sweetened with sucralose can help consumers achieve this goal. People who want to lose weight must consider many factors, including exercise, overall diet and psychological, cultural and emotional factors.

FACTS ABOUT SUCRALOSE SAFETY

Sucralose has been thoroughly studied and enjoys an exemplary safety record throughout the world. Below is a sample of some of the leading research that has been conducted on sucralose over the past 20 years. Safety studies show that sucralose is a safe and essentially inert ingredient. Conclusions from the studies include the following:

• No known side effects
• Not toxic: No adverse effects seen in test animals, even in amounts equivalent in sweetness to 40+ pounds of sugar per day for life
• No effect on carbohydrate metabolism
• No effect on short- or long-term blood glucose control or on serum insulin levels: Sucralose is suitable for people with diabetes
• No calories or carbohydrate: Sucralose is not recognized by the body as a carbohydrate and is not hydrolyzed or otherwise broken down for energy

HOW SUCRALOSE IS MADE

Researchers at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London, discovered sucralose in 1976, during a collaborative research program with sugar producer, Tate & Lyle, PLC.
Sucralose is made by a patented, multi-step process that starts with sugar (sucrose) and replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. This results in a stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, but is calorie-free.
After being discovered, sucralose was put through very extensive and thorough safety testing programs. More than 100 scientific studies were conducted over a 20-year period. Today sucralose is permitted in more than 80 countries.

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