For Immediate Release
Contact:
Beth Hubrich, MS, RD 404-252-3663
Sucralose.org Launched to Provide Objective, Scientific Information and Dispel Rumors
Consumers and Health Professionals Now Have a Resource for the Facts about the Sweetener Sucralose
ATLANTA (May 2, 2005) - Accurate and credible information on sucralose, a no-calorie sweetener, is now available on the Web via a new site - www.sucralose.org.
The site:
- Provides consumers and health professionals with objective, scientific information about sucralose, which is used worldwide in more than 4,000 products
- Contains links to third-party health organizations and regulatory agencies and a calorie savings calculator for consumers to determine the number of calories saved in sucralose-sweetened foods and beverages
- Addresses how sucralose is made, its safety record and more.
"This resource is designed to provide consumers with the scientific truth about sucralose. There are many Web sites, some of which are specifically about sucralose, that provide misinformation, are not based on science and only serve to mislead the public. Sucralose is a beneficial sweetener that can help people enjoy lower-calorie foods and beverages that taste like the full-calorie versions. The safety of sucralose is well documented and affirmed worldwide," noted Lyn Nabors, Executive Vice President of the Calorie Control Council.
One rumor that has recently surfaced is the term "hydrocarbon." Sucralose is not a hydrocarbon, it is a modified carbohydrate that provides no calories. It is made through a multi-step process that starts with sugar (sucrose) and replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. (Chlorine is present naturally in many foods and beverages ranging from tap water to lettuce to beans and mushrooms). This results in a stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, but is calorie-free. More than 100 scientific studies conducted and thoroughly evaluated over a 20-year period demonstrate that sucralose has an excellent safety profile and is safe for everyone. It is one of the most extensively tested food ingredients ever approved.
Sucralose has been approved for use in more than 80 countries and by health and regulatory authorities including: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives, the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Union, Health Canada, and Food Standards Australia/New Zealand.
Sucralose is not only safe, but it is also helpful in weight control. "Consumption of reduced-calorie, sugar-free foods and beverages is directly in line with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines," adds Ms. Nabors. And, making simple changes can make a big difference. For example, drinking a glass of orange juice sweetened with sucralose in place of the full-calorie version can save 60 calories a day - which can translate to a six-pound weight loss over the course of the year.
For factual information about sucralose visit www.sucralose.org.
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The 2007 survey findings are based on a nationally projectable sample of 1,200 Americans age 18 and older. The sample reliability is +/- 2.8 percent. The survey was completed in June by Booth Research Services, Inc., for the Calorie Control Council, a non-profit international association of manufacturers of low-calorie, reduced-fat and light foods and beverages.
