Other Sweeteners

In addition to the high intensity sweeteners consumed in the U.S., other sweeteners are also used and offer a sweet taste ranging from that of sucrose to 2,000 times sweeter than sucrose. Health-conscious consumers have indicated they want additional good-tasting, low-calorie and reduced-fat ("light") foods and beverages. Having a variety of low-calorie sweeteners available allows food manufacturers to choose the most appropriate ingredient, or combination of ingredients, for a given product — the "multiple ingredient approach." Currently, tagatose and trehalose are "Generally Recognized As Safe" for use in foods and beverages. Alitame is approved for use in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the People’s Republic of China and a petition for alitame's use in a broad range of foods and beverages has been filed in the U.S.