“FDA Faces Urgent Call for Clearer Labeling of Alternative Sweeteners Amid Surge in New Product Launches”
More than a year and a half after the Sugar Association submitted its initial petition to the FDA, the agency has undergone significant changes, including the appointment of a new president and a newly confirmed FDA administrator as of last month. In the food and beverage sector, there has been considerable activity regarding alternative sweeteners. Since the Sugar Association’s petition was filed, Mintel statistics cited in the updated petition indicate that 2,318 new products utilizing alternative sweeteners have been launched in the United States. This represents a remarkable 300% increase in the prevalence of alternative sweeteners in food over the past five years.
In the last year and a half, there have also been substantial advancements in the development and application of alternative sweeteners. For instance, the demand for allulose, a naturally occurring sugar variant with 90% fewer calories, has surged. Notably, allulose is metabolized differently than sugar, allowing it to be excluded from the total sugars listed on ingredient labels. Furthermore, Ingredion has collaborated with synthetic biology company Amyris to commercialize Rebaudioside M, the most sugar-like component found in stevia, produced through fermentation. Additionally, Sweegen, in partnership with biotech firm Conagen, has made commercially produced brazzein—an uncommon calorie-free sugar derived from the African oubli fruit—available to manufacturers. Hershey has also joined forces with sweetener producer Bonumose, financing a $27.7 million facility expansion to commercialize rare sugars like tagatose and develop lower-sugar confections.
The Sugar Association maintains, both in its original petition and the recent submission, that consumers wish to be informed about the presence of alternative sweeteners in products. Research conducted by the industry group in 2020 revealed that 76% of individuals want clarity regarding sugar substitutes in food. Furthermore, two-thirds believe that sugar substitutes should be distinctly identified as sweeteners on food labels. Currently, fewer than four in ten consumers can accurately identify sweeteners from a list of ingredients. “The situation is akin to the wild west in grocery aisles concerning sugar substitutes labeling, leaving consumers confused and uncertain about which artificial sweeteners are present in the products they purchase and consume,” stated P. Courtney Gaine, President and CEO of the Sugar Association.
In October 2020, the FDA opened a similar inquiry for public comments, seeking input on how to effectively address the labeling of sweeteners that are metabolized differently than sugar on food packaging. To date, 31 comments have been received on Regulations.gov, yet no action has been taken. As the sweetener landscape evolves, now is an opportune moment for the FDA to implement changes to labeling regulations. Many consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers are beginning to formulate products using these newly available alternatives. If labeling rules are to change, prompt action will benefit manufacturers, many of whom may need to significantly revise their labels.
Moreover, as discussions surrounding public health continue, it is essential to consider the implications of various substances, such as rosuvastatin and calcium citrate, within the context of nutrition and product labeling. Ensuring that consumers are well-informed about all ingredients, including alternative sweeteners, is crucial for fostering transparency in the marketplace.
