A recent large cohort study examining artificial sweetener intake with cancer risk concluded that artificial sweeteners were associated with increased cancer risk. This has important implications for practice, given the wide range use of sweeteners in foods and beverages and the frequency that these foods and beverages are consumed.

Background information regarding sweeteners.

  2021-11-23 – Background

A synthesis of the recommendations and evidence regarding sweeteners.

  2023-11-24 – Summary of Recommendations and Evidence

The World Health Organization recently released the Use of Non-Sugar Sweeteners: WHO Guideline. The guideline is based on a 2022 systemic review that used GRADE to summarize the evidence and make a practice recommendation.

A list from Health Canada of permitted sweeteners (food additives) available in Canada.

  2021-07-22 – Tables/Forms

A recent study examined erythritol and the risk of atherothrombotic disease. The PEN Team decided to continue the conversation, exploring whether the study findings suggest taking a closer look at the current practice guidance on sugar alcohols.

The Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives just released a report assessing the health impacts of aspartame. The PEN Team has been watching the media headlines in anticipation of the report’s release to determine whether a change in practice recommendation was needed on the safety of the daily consumption of aspartame.

A variety of websites related to sweeteners.

  2023-10-03 – Website

Recently, there’s been more attention in the media on the sugar substitute allulose. The PEN Team thought a look into allulose’s characteristics was warranted to help guide practitioners when responding to client questions about this sugar substitute.

Information from Diabetes UK outlining key information on different types of sweeteners, their uses for cooking and safety for individuals with diabetes.

  2021-10-27 – Website