Scientific experts around the world support the safety of sucralose and its role in reduced-calorie products as part of the fight against rising obesity levels. Below are a few quotes about the benefits and safety of sucralose:
"In determining the safety of sucralose, FDA reviewed data from more than 110 studies in humans and animals. Many of the studies were designed to identify possible toxic effects including carcinogenic, reproductive and neurological effects. No such effects were found, and FDA's approval is based on the finding that sucralose is safe for human consumption."
FDA Talk Paper T98-16.
"There is adequate evidence, [for sucralose], that there are no concerns about mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, development or reproductive toxicity."
Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission on Sucralose, September 7, 2000
"The low-calorie sweeteners in the United States all underwent extensive testing before they were approved. Results showed that low-calorie sweeteners are safe for everyone, including children and pregnant women. Sucralose is the newest low-calorie sweetener on the market. Sucralose is not affected by heat and retains its sweetness in hot beverages, baked goods, and processed foods."
American Diabetes Association
"Sucralose (Splenda®) was approved by the FDA as a tabletop sweetener in 1998, followed by approval as a general purpose sweetener in 1999. Before approving sucralose, the FDA viewed more than 100 safety studies that were conducted, including studies to assess cancer risk. The results of these studies showed no evidence that these sweeteners cause cancer or pose any other threat to human health."
National Cancer Institute
For more information about sucralose visit:
Science and Health Organizations
- Health Panel Applauds Approval of New Sweetener
American Council on Science and Health, April, 1998 - Sugar Substitutes and Your Health
American Council on Science and Health - Sweeteners & Desserts
American Diabetes Association - Artificial Sweeteners
American Heart Association - Canadian Diabetes Association National Nutrition Committee Technical Review: Non-nutritive Intense Sweeteners in Diabetes Management
Canadian Diabetes Association, 2004 - Use of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners
American Dietetic Association - Pregnancy: Keeping Yourself and Your Baby Healthy
American Academy of Family Physicians - Position Statement on Sweeteners
Diabetes UK - Sugar Substitutes: Sweet Taste Without All the Calories
Mayo Clinic - Artificial Sweeteners: Do They Affect Blood Sugar Levels?
Mayo Clinic - Artificial Sweetener Questions and Answers
National Cancer Institute - Sugar Substitutes: Americans Opt for Sweetness and Lite
Federal Citizen Information Center
Regulatory Authorities
- FDA Approves New High Intensity Sweetener Sucralose
US Food and Drug Administration, April 1, 1998 - Artificial Sweeteners: No Calories…Sweet!
US Food and Drug Administration, July 2006
Product and Sweetener Information
- Can you eat sugar if you have diabetes?
About.com - Low-calorie Sweeteners: Sucralose
Calorie Control Council - Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose
International Food Information Council - Sucralose Fact Sheet
International Sweeteners Association - Artificial Sweeteners
iVillage Network - SPLENDA® Tabletop Products
- SPLENDA® Products (for health professionals)
- Artificial Sweeteners: Safe to Sweeten Up Your Day?
Yahoo! Health
General Information about Sucralose and Sweeteners
Position of the American Dietetic Association: Use of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2004; 104 (2) pp. 255-275.
Regulatory Approval
In the United States, sucralose underwent the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous food additive approval process. In 1998, the FDA approved sucralose for use in 15 food and beverage categories, the broadest initial approval ever given a food additive. Then in August 1999, just 16 months later, the FDA extended its approval of sucralose to include its use as a general-purpose sweetener in all foods and beverages.
Food Additives Permitted for Direct Addition to Food for Human Consumption; Sucralose. Federal Register 1998; 63(64) pp. 16417-16433.
Food Additives Permitted for Direct Addition to Food for Human Consumption Sucralose. Federal Register 1999; 64(155) pp. 43908-43909.
