WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 15, 2022) – In response to the release of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s draft guideline on the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), the Calorie Control Council reaffirms the health benefits and long safety record of these low- and no-calorie sweeteners for consumption by all populations, including adults and children.
“The Calorie Control is disappointed to read the World Health Organization’s conditional recommendation suggesting low- and no-calorie sweeteners do not provide health benefits. Consumers want options when it comes to sugar reduction and low- and no-calorie sweeteners have are a proven safe and effective choice for sugar and calorie reduction. Low- and no-calorie sweeteners are a critical tool that, along with exercise and a healthy diet, can help consumers achieve their dietary and weight management goals,” said Robert Rankin, president of the Calorie Control Council, an international association representing the low- and reduced-calorie food and beverage industry.
Low- and no-calorie sweeteners have been proven to assist in body weight and blood glucose level management, as well as calorie and sugar intake reduction. We note that WHO’s recommendation is classified as “conditional,” meaning that “evidence of low certainty” forms the basis of this recommendation.
“As a primary care physician, I spend my days counseling patients on achieving a healthy lifestyle and reaching their weight loss goals. One key feature of my approach is reducing their consumption of carbohydrates on a daily basis. There is an abundance of scientific evidence to support the safety of low-calorie sweeteners and their role in aiding in weight loss. Recommending the use of low calorie/non-nutritive sweeteners as a substitution for beverages and foods with added sugars has been a prominent piece of advice that I provide in order to reduce overall carbohydrate intake,” said Dr. Keri Peterson, Medical Advisor to the Calorie Control Council.
Discouraging the use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners is at odds with the health and nutritional profile of half of Americans. Replacing added sugars with low- and no-calorie sweeteners can help people in the United States and around the globe achieve their sugar reduction (Public Health England; CCC NUGAG Page).
About the Calorie Control Council
The Calorie Control Council, established in 1966, is an international association representing the low- and reduced-calorie food and beverage industry. Today it represents manufacturers and suppliers of low-, no- and reduced-calorie foods and beverages, including manufacturers and suppliers of more than two dozen different alternative sweeteners, dietary fibers and other low-calorie, dietary ingredients. More at caloriecontrol.org.
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Robin Applebaum
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.
