Sweetner

Sweeteners are substances added to foods to provide a sweet taste. They can be natural, like sugars and sugar alcohols, or artificial, like aspartame and sucralose. Many sweeteners are manufactured through chemical processes or extracted from natural sources.

Sweeteners are primarily used to add sweetness to foods and beverages without adding significant calories, or to provide a different taste profile than sugar. They are found in a wide variety of products, including diet drinks, sugar-free candies, baked goods, and dairy products.

Many sweeteners have been evaluated by regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA. For example, the FDA has deemed several artificial sweeteners as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) or approved them as food additives. While generally considered safe at typical consumption levels, some studies have explored potential links between high intake of certain sweeteners and metabolic effects, though evidence is mixed and often based on animal studies. JECFA has also evaluated many sweeteners, establishing acceptable daily intakes for some.