Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes are substances used to sweeten foods and beverages. Artificial sweeteners are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food additives, including artificial sweeteners, have to be approved by the FDA first before they can be sold in the United States.

Artificial Sweeteners Approved by the FDA

• Aspartame is found in the brands NutraSweet® and Equal®

• Saccharin is found in Sweet’N Low®

• Sucralose is found in Splenda®

• Acesulfame K (or acesulfame potassium) is found in pharmaceutical products, foods, beverages

• Neotame is found in diet soft drinks and low-calorie foods

Not So Fun Fact

Aspartame contains three well-recognized neurotoxins, phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%), and methanol (10%).