Sweeteners: Separate Safety, Calories and the Whole Product

Oct 3, 2023

2 min read

Updated: 23 hours ago

Sweeteners are not one substance. Different ingredients, amounts and products need different interpretations, and a headline about one compound should not be applied to every sugar substitute.

What approval means

FSANZ assesses permitted intense sweeteners and their conditions of use. An acceptable daily intake is a safety-assessment concept, not a suggested amount to consume or proof that every product containing the ingredient improves diet quality.

Read the complete label

A sweetener's energy contribution is not the same as the energy in the whole food. Other ingredients and portion size still count. Sugar alcohols and intense sweeteners also should not be assumed to behave identically.

Ask what the substitution does

Replacing one drink with another may be practical if it suits your preferences and goals. Adding a product because it is labelled sugar-free does not automatically improve the rest of the eating pattern.

Avoid both extremes

Approval does not make unlimited consumption a useful goal. A worrying headline does not establish harm at the amount in your routine. Check the specific ingredient and current regulator guidance rather than treating all uncertainty as a reason for fear.

Choose products in the context of a manageable food routine. If you have a condition requiring particular dietary restrictions, follow individual professional advice.