The use of low and no calorie sweeteners worldwide in foods and beverages has increased over the years. Because most of the LNCS we consume will be excreted from the body without being digested, they can accumulate in our surrounding environment, particularly in the water. This has led to concern that LNCS may become an environmental risk if they are not “biodegraded” in nature.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have thoroughly reviewed the scientific evidence regarding these sweeteners and have regarded them as safe for both human consumption and the environment. Still, some questions remain about the impact of LNCS exposure in the environment.
Today, there are scientific publications that investigated the environmental fate and ecotoxicity of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS). A number of studies have reported the detection of certain sweeteners in sludge and wastewater. However, these levels are very low and most sweeteners are completely biodegraded in the environment and will not accumulate in the tissues of living organisms. No studies to date have found that the presence of LNCS in the environment result in adverse health outcomes, and no chronic data on any potentially toxic effects of the sweeteners at the population, community, ecosystem and biosphere levels are available.
Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.
