Louisiana’s proposed bans targeting low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS), including acesulfame potassium (ace-k), aspartame, and sucralose, should be deeply concerning to not just Louisianian’s, but all Americans who deserve choice and tools to combat diseases such as diabetes. Acesulfame potassium, aspartame, and sucralose have all been rigorously reviewed and approved as safe for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and international bodies including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
These ingredients play a critical role in helping millions of Americans lower their added sugar intake and reduce overall calorie consumption. Restricting access to these sweeteners in schools could disproportionately harm students with diabetes, for example, and may risk violating federal disability protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Additionally, many LNCS, such as sucralose, are derived from cane sugar, a key crop grown in Louisiana. Eliminating LNCS from the market would undermine future demand for sugar-derived ingredients and negatively impact local cane sugar farmers and processors.
Science, not misinformation, should guide public health policy. We urge Louisiana lawmakers to align state policy with established federal safety standards and to preserve access to safe, FDA-approved ingredients that support healthier diets for students and families across the state.
See List: Global Permissions for Sweeteners
Statement from the Calorie Control Council:
“Louisiana’s commitment to improving school nutrition is commendable; however, banning the availability of certain FDA-approved low- and no-calorie sweeteners in school meals negates decades of scientific evidence confirming their safety and could result in harm to students with diabetes and may risk violating federal disability protections under the ADA,” said Carla Saunders, president of the Calorie Control Council. “Removing the freedom of choice for a no-sugar option could impact kids’ ability to manage their blood glucose. With pediatric type 2 diabetes on the rise in Louisiana, which doubled during the pandemic—this bill undermines efforts to address a chronic disease in a state already facing one of the nation’s highest diabetes rates.”
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.
