How to Identify Artificial Sweeteners

The popular artificial sweeteners are marketed under a variety of brand names, but the brand names for these sweeteners aren't usually printed on the package. If you want to avoid artificial sweeteners (or if you prefer them over natural sweeteners), here is a list of ingredients to look for:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a sharp eye
• packaged food products
• a little time

1. Look for the ingredient aspartame. This artificial sweetener was approved by the FDA in 1981. It is packaged under the brand names NutraSweet, Equal and Sugar Twin. It is used in over six thousand products and is usually listed as aspartame in the ingredients list in products like diet soda. It has caused a lot of controversy with many claiming it causes a variety of health problems.

2. Look for acesulfame K. This artificial sweetener has been around since 1988. It is also a flavor-enhancer. Look for any of the following names given for this sweetener: acesulfame k, acesulfame potassium, Ace-K or the brand name Sunnett.

3. Look for the ingredient saccharin. This is the granddaddy of artificial sweeteners, having been around for over 100 years! It's usually listed as saccharin in the ingredient's list on products which contain this artificial sweetener. Brand names include; Sweet and Low, Sweet 'N Low, Sweet Twin and Necta Sweet.

4. Look for the ingredient sucralose. This artificial sweetener can be found in over four thousand products, including baked goods. The brand name is Splenda. I often find this one very difficult to spot in ingredients, because the name sucralose is very similar to sucrose (table sugar).

5. Look for the newcomer to the artificial sweetener line-up: Neotame. The FDA recently approved this newest version of aspartame. It is an artificial sweetener which is not supposed to cause the phenylalanine dangers to persons with PKU that aspartame does.

Tips & Warnings

• If the label says 'diet' or 'light', the ingredients most likely contain an artificial sweetener.
• Whether you try to avoid artificial sweeteners, or prefer them over natural sweeteners, be sure to check the ingredients carefully.

Resources

• Artificial Sweeteners - More Information

[Wasatch]

on 3/19/2009 GOOD ARTICLE. I TRY TO AVOID ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS.

[goldiec]

on 3/1/2009 Thank you so much! 5*

[mommyhen42]

on 2/14/2009 wonderful info, these chemecials are not obvious to the layperson. Thank you for letting us know what to look for

[Buckeye207]

on 11/16/2008 Very, very helpful. It can be tricky to identify just what's in processed food.

[Cherst1031]

on 8/19/2008 Thanks for this information, there were several that I did not know about.