A Comprehensive Guide to FDA-Permitted Nonnutritive Sweeteners
Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS), often referred to as artificial or high-intensity sweeteners, are a vital component of the modern food supply. They provide sweetness with few to no calories, making them useful for managing weight, controlling blood sugar levels, and reducing overall sugar consumption. The safety and availability of these additives are overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA-Approved Sweetener Categories
The FDA permits nonnutritive sweeteners through two regulatory pathways: as approved food additives or under a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status.
FDA-Approved Food Additives
Six synthetic nonnutritive sweeteners are currently approved by the FDA as food additives:
- Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): A heat-stable sweetener often blended with other sweeteners to create a more sugar-like taste. It is found in everything from baked goods to beverages and dairy products.
- Advantame: Approved in 2014, Advantame is approximately 20,000 times sweeter than table sugar. It is heat-stable and used as both a general-purpose sweetener and a flavor enhancer.
- Aspartame: A well-known sweetener composed of two amino acids. It is not heat-stable, making it unsuitable for baking, but is widely used in diet sodas, chewing gum, and other products.
- Neotame: Chemically related to aspartame, Neotame is significantly sweeter and more heat-stable, allowing for its use in baked goods.
- Saccharin: The oldest artificial sweetener, saccharin has been used for over a century and is found in pink packets at restaurants and various diet products.
- Sucralose: Marketed under the brand name Splenda, sucralose is heat-stable and can be used in baking. It is about 600 times sweeter than table sugar.
GRAS Status Sweeteners
In addition to the six approved food additives, the FDA has evaluated and not objected to the GRAS conclusions for several plant and fruit-based sweeteners.
- High-Purity Steviol Glycosides: These extracts, derived from the stevia plant, have GRAS status and are used as general-purpose sweeteners. The FDA does not permit the use of crude stevia leaf or crude extracts.
- Luo Han Guo Fruit Extracts (Monk Fruit): Extracts from the monk fruit are also classified as GRAS. These extracts contain mogrosides that provide sweetness without calories and are heat-stable.
- Thaumatin: A group of sweet proteins from the West African katemfe fruit, thaumatin has GRAS status for use in certain foods and beverages.
Nonnutritive Sweetener Comparison Table
| Sweetener Name | Type | Sweetness (vs. Sugar) | Heat-Stable | Common Uses | FDA Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) | Artificial | ~200x | Yes | Baked goods, beverages, dairy | Approved Food Additive |
| Advantame | Artificial | ~20,000x | Yes | General purpose sweetener, flavor enhancer | Approved Food Additive |
| Aspartame | Artificial | ~200x | No | Diet sodas, chewing gum, yogurt | Approved Food Additive |
| Neotame | Artificial | 7,000-13,000x | Yes | Baked goods, beverages | Approved Food Additive |
| Saccharin | Artificial | 200-700x | Yes | Beverages, tabletop sweetener | Approved Food Additive |
| Sucralose (Splenda) | Artificial | ~600x | Yes | Baked goods, beverages, chewing gum | Approved Food Additive |
| Steviol Glycosides (High-Purity) | Plant-Derived | 200-400x | Yes | General purpose sweeteners | GRAS |
| Monk Fruit Extract (Luo Han Guo) | Fruit-Derived | 100-250x | Yes | General purpose sweeteners | GRAS |
Common Applications in the Food Supply
These nonnutritive sweeteners are widely incorporated into food products to reduce calorie content while maintaining a sweet taste. Their applications vary depending on their properties, such as heat stability and sweetness intensity. For example, heat-stable sweeteners like sucralose and Ace-K are ideal for baked goods and processed foods. In contrast, aspartame is primarily used in products that do not undergo high temperatures, like diet sodas and certain dairy products. Many manufacturers also combine different sweeteners to achieve a more rounded, sugar-like flavor profile. This synergy allows for more versatile use in a broader range of foods and drinks.
Conclusion
Understanding which nonnutritive sweeteners are available and their specific characteristics is essential for both consumers and food manufacturers. The U.S. food supply includes a variety of these low- and no-calorie options, all rigorously evaluated for safety by the FDA. From classic artificial sweeteners like saccharin and sucralose to natural alternatives like high-purity steviol glycosides and monk fruit extract, consumers have a wide array of choices to help manage sugar intake. The availability of these ingredients supports the production of countless low-sugar and diet-friendly food and beverage products on the market today.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making dietary changes.
