With rising concerns about obesity and health, individuals are paying more attention to their daily calorie (energy) intake. To reduce energy derived from foods, low-calorie and calorie-free products have started to take up more space on store shelves. For consumers who want to control their sugar intake, low-calorie and calorie-free sweeteners are a good alternative, according to Internal Medicine and Endocrinology Specialist Prof. Dr. Taner Damcı, who emphasized that consumers can safely use foods and beverages containing sweeteners.
Prof. Dr. Damcı noted that sweeteners are among the most extensively studied food components worldwide through scientific research:
“Consumers can safely use approved sweeteners within a diet that is adequate, balanced, and in line with daily nutritional recommendations,” he said.
Pointing out that low-calorie and calorie-free sweeteners used in foods and beverages not only help preserve taste and overall dietary quality but also reduce the calorie content of many products, Prof. Dr. Damcı added that these sweeteners have been approved by globally recognized authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Speculations Negatively Affect Consumers
Highlighting that sweeteners are now used in many products, Prof. Dr. Damcı said:
“In our country, the Turkish Food Codex of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock regulates in which products and in what amounts sweeteners can be used. Unfortunately, there are some speculations being spread on this subject. Such statements negatively affect both producers and consumers.”