Since the beginning of 2025, several state level bills in the USA have been proposed targeting different food additives, including low/no calorie sweeteners (LNCS) and often based on misinformation on their approval status in certain countries or misinterpretation of scientific evidence.
The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) would like to remind that LNCS are amongst the most thoroughly researched ingredients worldwide. These ingredients have been evaluated and approved as safe by the US FDA, as well as by many other food safety authorities worldwide including the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, Australia/New-Zealand Food Standards Agency, or the Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). At the federal level in the USA, LNCS have been thoroughly scrutinised through the US additive program and GRAS rules.
Therefore, when it comes to LNCS, legislators across many countries have access to extensive scientific and regulatory dossiers on these ingredients. The following links give details and scientific information on the safety of LNCS, as well as their approval status.
- European Union: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/sweeteners
- Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/lists-permitted/9-sweeteners.html
- Australia/New-Zealand: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/additives/Sweeteners
- JECFA: https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/
- USA: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food
As part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, LNCS can contribute to public health objectives regarding sugar intake reduction. They may assist in weight management, diabetes control, and dental health. This contribution can potentially lower costs associated with these Non-Communicable Diseases, thereby reducing the overall burden on healthcare programs.
