Expert Consensus

Expert consensus on low-calorie sweeteners: facts, research gaps and suggested actions

• A substantial body of evidence reviewed by regulatory food safety agencies around the world confirm the safety of low/zero calorie sweeteners (LNCS).
• When used in place of sugars, they can help reduce calorie intake and assist weight/ diabetes management.
• In people with and without diabetes, LNCS have no adverse effect on blood glucose and insulin regulation (HbA1c, fasting and post-prandial glucose and insulin levels).
• There is a need to research and develop evidence-based strategies to communicate facts to consumers, health professionals and policy makers.  
• Experts agree that with the reduction in the intake of sugars being recommended globally to lower the risk and prevalence of obesity, LCS is a strategy to consider.
• Efforts should be made to understand and, where possible, reconcile policy discrepancies between organizations and reduce regulatory hurdles that impede product development and reformulation designed to reduce sugars and calories.