Sucralose is safe

ISA statement in response to new study by Schiffman et al.

Brussels, 2nd June 2023: Responding to a new study by Schiffman et al.1, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) highlights the safety of the low/no calorie sweetener sucralose.

Time and time again, the safety of sucralose has been confirmed by global food safety and regulatory bodies, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)2 and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)3. Sucralose has undergone one of the most extensive and thorough testing programmes conducted on any food additive in history, resulting in consensus on its safety throughout the global scientific and regulatory community.

This particular publication focusses on tests related to sucralose-6-acetate. This is minor impurity that may form during the manufacture of sucralose, the levels of which are tightly controlled by robust manufacturing processes and limited under the regulatory specifications set for sucralose.

Sucralose, like all other low/no calorie sweeteners, plays an important role in providing consumers choice with sweet-tasting options with low or no calories. As part of a balanced diet, low/no calorie sweeteners can be a useful tool to reduce sugar and calorie intake, as well as to manage blood glucose levels4 and reduce the risk of dental caries5.

  1. Schiffman S S, Scholl E H, Furey T S, et al. Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903
  2. http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/sweeteners
  3. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/high-intensity-sweeteners
  4. Diabetes UK. The use of low or no calorie sweeteners. Position Statement (Updated December 2018). Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/food-nutrition-lifestyle/use-of-low-or-no-calorie-sweetners
  5. EFSA Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to intense sweeteners. EFSA 2011 Journal 9(6): 2229, and 9(4): 2076