Scientists, Regulators & Professional Health Groups Support Saccharin’s Safety
The extensive research on saccharin has been reviewed by many international scientists, including a wide range of British, Canadian, German, Swiss, Scandinavian and American researchers, and by health groups interested in low-calorie sweeteners. These reviews have led to significant statements in support of saccharin. Comments include:
Professional Health & Nutrition Organizations
“Substituting non-nutritive sweeteners for sugars added to foods and beverages may help people reach and maintain a healthy body weight – as long as the substitution doesn’t lead to eating additional calories later as compensation. For people with diabetes, non-nutritive sweeteners used alone or in foods and beverages remain an option and when used appropriately can aid in glucose control.”
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
The Academy’s official position statement states: “Consumers can safely enjoy a range of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners…”
American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association, “Nonnutritive Sweeteners: Current Use and Health Perspectives” (2012)
“Thus, the consumption of acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and neotame within acceptable daily intakes is safe during pregnancy.”
British Dietetic Association (2025)
In its 2025 joint position statement with the British Nutrition Foundation and Diabetes UK, the BDA states: “Evidence shows that the use of approved low or no calorie sweeteners may support a reduction in free sugar intake, weight management and blood glucose control.”
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Formerly American Dietetic Association), “Position of the American Dietetic Association: Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners” (2004)
“Several years ago, experiments on rats suggested that saccharin might cause cancer. Since then, however, studies of primates and humans have shown no increased risk of cancer from either saccharin or aspartame.”
National Cancer Institute
Regarding FDA-approved sweeteners, including saccharin:
“No evidence that these sweeteners cause cancer or other harms in people.” The NCI further notes that FDA approval followed review of numerous safety studies.
Government & Regulatory/Public Health Agencies
Food and Drug Administration
The FDA includes saccharin among the high-intensity sweeteners that are approved for use in food and has established an ADI for saccharin of 15 mg/kg body weight/day.
European Food Safety Authority (2024)
“EFSA has concluded that saccharin is safe for human consumption.” In the same announcement, EFSA increased saccharin’s Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) from 5 to 9 mg/kg body weight/day following a comprehensive scientific review.
European Food Safety Authority Scientific Opinion (2024)
“EFSA’s scientific experts reconfirmed the safety of saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts for use in food and beverages.”
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
JECFA’s safety evaluation supports an established ADI for saccharin, which is referenced by regulatory authorities worldwide, including Health Canada.
Health Canada
Health Canada states that saccharin is being permitted based on: “data indicating that it is not carcinogenic to humans.
Related Resources
Learn more about sweeteners.
Learn more about saccharin.