Splenda Q & A Information
 

What is SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener?

SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener contains sucralose (SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener), the no calorie sweetener made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar, with no unpleasant aftertaste. It can also be used in cooking and baking in a variety of recipes. Like many no and low calorie sweeteners, SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener also contains a very small amount of the common food ingredients, dextrose and/or maltodextrin, for volume. Because the amount of these ingredients is so small, SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener still has an insignificant calorie value per serving and meets FDA's standards for "no calorie" sweeteners.

How is SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener made?

SPLENDA® is the brand name for the ingredient sucralose. It is made through a patented, multi-step process that starts with sugar and converts it to a no calorie, non-carbohydrate sweetener. The process selectively replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. Chlorine is present naturally in many of the foods and beverages that we eat and drink every day ranging from lettuce, mushrooms and table salt. In the case of sucralose, its addition converts sucrose to sucralose, which is essentially inert. The result is an exceptionally stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, but without sugar’s calories. After consumption, sucralose passes through the body without being broken down for energy, so it has no calories, and the body does not recognize it as a carbohydrate.

How was the safety of SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener determined?

More than 100 scientific studies on sucralose conducted over a 20-year period have demonstrated the safety of SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener. The data from these comprehensive studies were independently evaluated by the FDA and international experts in a variety of scientific disciplines. The safety of sucralose has also been confirmed by years of both domestic and international use.

Do products sweetened with SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener carry any warning labels or information statements?

No. The regulatory agencies and scientific review bodies that have approved the use of SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener have not required any warning or special information statements to be placed on the labels of products sweetened with SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener.

How is sucralose handled by the body?

Although sucralose is made from sugar, the body does not recognize it as sugar or a carbohydrate. It is not metabolized by the body, so it is calorie-free.

Can pregnant and breast-feeding women consume SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener?

Yes. SPLENDA® products can be used by anyone, including pregnant women and nursing mothers. As always, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should talk to their healthcare providers about their special nutritional needs.

Can my children use SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener?

Yes. SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener can be a great addition to healthy meal plans for children.

Can people with diabetes use SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener?

Yes. Numerous studies have shown that SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener, or sucralose, is suitable for people with diabetes. Sucralose is not recognized by the body as sugar or as a carbohydrate. It is not metabolized by the body and does not affect blood glucose levels. Sucralose has no effect on carbohydrate metabolism or insulin secretion. Foods and beverages sweetened with SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener can provide good-tasting, lower-calorie alternatives for people with diabetes who are interested in reducing their calorie or sugar intake. As always, people with diabetes should consult their doctors or diabetes healthcare professionals for advice on an individualized dietary plan.

What is the role of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener in a healthy diet?

SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener may be used as part of a healthy diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods in moderate portions. Because SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener tastes like sugar and can be used for cooking and baking, it helps meet consumer demand for good-tasting foods and beverages without all the empty calories of sugar.