ISA statement in response to envoyé spécial’s programme “produits allégés, les faussaires du goût” on France

Brussels, 10th April 2015: The following statement has been issued in response to the broadcast on the 9th April of Envoyé Spécial’s programme “Produits allégés, les faussaires du goût” on France 2.

The “Produits allégés, les faussaires du goût” addressed a number of very important questions in relation to low calorie sweeteners. Having been approached by the production team, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) offered its full cooperation and answered questions put forward by the journalist during the making of the programme.

It is very regrettable that what should have been an objective and science based assessment of low calorie sweeteners, was very subjective and contained a series of highly misleading and factually inaccurate statements in relation to role and benefits of low calories sweeteners.

Low calorie sweeteners can help people manage their weight, with no discernable effect on satiety1, and enable those at risk of diabetes to enjoy greater food choices2. These benefits are confirmed by numerous scientific studies and the recent EFSA conclusions which confirm the safety of aspartame3.

Rather than providing consumers with the objective information upon which they can make informed choices in relation to how sweeteners can be used as part of balanced diet and lifestyle, the programme created unnecessary confusion and doubt amongst consumers, and will only serve to undermine the fight against obesity and non-communicable diseases.

For access to the latest peer reviewed science on the benefits of low calorie sweeteners, we invite you visit .

As a non-profit organization and listed in the Belgian Register, the ISA operates with full transparency by providing and exchanging, in the framework of scientific research, information and services intended to develop and to increase knowledge of the industry.

  1. Anderson GH, Foreyt J, Sigman-Grant M et al. (2012) The use of low-calorie sweeteners by adults: impact on weight management. The Journal of Nutrition 142: 1163S–9S.
  2. Keskitalo K, Tuorila H, Spector TD et al. (2007) Same genetic components underlie different measures of sweet taste preference. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 86: 1663–9.
  3. Mattes RD & Popkin BM (2009) Nonnutritive sweetener consumption in humans: effects on appetite and food intake and their putative mechanisms. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 89: 1–14.
  4. Miller PE & Perez V (2014) Low-calorie sweeteners and body weight and composition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohorts studies. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.082826.
  5. Peters JC, Wyatt HR, Foster GD, Hill JO et al. (2014) The effects of water and non-nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss during a 12 week weight loss treatment program. Obesity 22: 1415–21.