Brussels, 10 April 2026: The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) notes the publication of a new study in Frontiers in Nutrition examining the transgenerational effects of sucralose and stevia under experimental conditions in mice. It is important to place these findings in the appropriate context while reaffirming that they do not challenge the established conclusions on the safety of these low/no calorie sweeteners for humans.
Indeed, results from animal experiments, particularly those focused on the gut microbiome, are of limited relevance to human health. Substantial physiological and gut microbiome differences between mice and humans, including behaviours that facilitate microbiome transfer in rodents, mean the findings cannot be directly extrapolated to people. It should also be noted that the next generations of mice were not directly given the sweeteners, so it’s hard to tell whether the changes seen in these experiments were passed down through gut bacteria or through other inherited biological processes.
Sucralose and stevia have been rigorously evaluated by food safety authorities and approved for use in food and drinks within their Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), with the safety of sucralose most recently reaffirmed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in February 2026.
Individual animal studies using experimental conditions do not override this substantial evidence base, especially in light of evidence from human randomised controlled trials which is increasingly showing no impact on gut microbiota following exposure to different types and doses of low/no calories sweeteners.
As part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, low/no calorie sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia can be used to further public health objectives on sugar intake reduction and ultimately assist in weight and diabetes management, as well as with dental health.
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