About ISA

About the International Sweeteners Association (ISA)

The International Sweeteners Association AISBL is an international non-profit organisation with scientific aims representing suppliers and users of low/no calorie sweeteners, including tabletop sweetener manufacturers.

Established over 35 years ago, the ISA is recognised by the European Commission, national and international regulatory and public health authorities, and the World Health Organisation, and has Non-Government Observer status with the Codex Alimentarius Commission which establishes international food standards.

The ISA’s mission

The ISA’s mission is to provide healthcare professionals, researchers, regulatory bodies, policy makers, the media and consumers with science-based information to support public understanding of the safety and benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners.

What the ISA does

The ISA works towards optimal legislation for all low/no calorie sweeteners and the harmonisation of regulations governing their use.

The ISA monitors media and governmental affairs and actively fosters the exchange of scientific information among national authorities, policy makers and the scientific and health professions.

The ISA informs and educates on the most up-to-date nutritional and scientific information in relation to the role and benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners, and the foods and beverages that contain them. The ISA also encourages research into and enhances understanding of the role that low/no calorie sweeteners can play in achieving a balanced diet, including in the context of current health challenges globally and of the efforts from public health authorities in encouraging food manufacturers to replace sugar and reduce calories as part of their reformulation goals.

A Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) of experts, supported by the ISA, provides ISA with advice on the latest science on low and no calorie sweeteners. The panel is comprised of academic experts and researchers working in the areas of food science and nutrition, toxicology, epidemiology and public health, nutrition psychology and eating behaviour, obesity and metabolic diseases.

The ISA seeks to ensure that all audiences, from the scientific community to policy makers and the media, are sharing up-to-date, accurate and unbiased information on the role of low/no calorie sweeteners in a modern, balanced diet. The ISA is a central source of information for national and international regulators, science groups, health organisations, media and consumers.

Funding

The association is funded through annual membership fee contributions. A list of current members can be found here.

In addition to membership fees, ISA members can also provide voluntary financial contributions to fund additional projects that are in line with ISA objectives and agreed with the ISA Board and relevant committee. One example is the ISA Science and Communications Outreach programme, which includes amplification of the science on sweeteners to the food industry, academia, health care professionals, regulators, media and ultimately the consumer.

ISA is open and transparent about its activities. The ISA is registered in the Belgian Gazette and is listed on the Transparency Register of the European Commission and the European Parliament (identification number: 11667896576-60).

 

ISA Director General

Laurent Oger is the Director General of the ISA since February 2024. He has over 15 years of experience in trade associations in the food industry-related sectors. Before joining ISA, Laurent was the Deputy Director General of the leading association for crop protection and plant biotech industry in Europe where he contributed to the strategic direction of the organisation, led regulatory and policy teams and delivered advocacy and stakeholder engagement programmes. Laurent has a Bachelor’s degree in law and a Master’s degree in EU and agricultural law. He is fluent in English, French (mother tongue) and has a good knowledge of Spanish.

Laurent underlines the importance of ensuring that that low/no calorie sweeteners are recognised within the range of public health initiatives aimed at tackling the worrying increase in non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, and other health challenges such as obesity.