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Sugar Substitutes
In Canada, food additives such as sugar substitutes, which cover both artificial sweeteners and intense sweeteners obtained from natural sources, are subject to rigorous controls under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. New food additives (or new uses of permitted food additives) are only permitted once a safety assessment has been conducted and regulatory amendments have been enacted.
Several sugar substitutes have been approved for use in Canada. These include acesulfame-potassium, polydextrose, sucralose, thaumatin and sugar alcohols (polyols) like sorbitol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol and xylitol.
Aspartame
Aspartame, a low-calorie artificial sweetener, has been permitted for use as a food additive in Canada since 1981. It is used in a number of foods including soft drinks, desserts, breakfast cereals and chewing gum. It is also available as a table-top sweetener.
Saccharin
Saccharin is a man-made sweetener that is used in food products in many countries. In the 1970s, scientific studies raised concerns that saccharin could be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) in laboratory rats. As a result of these studies, saccharin was not permitted as a food additive in Canada, although restricted use of saccharin as a table-top sweetener has been allowed. Since that time, further studies have revealed that the carcinogenic effect of saccharin in rats does not have the same effect on humans. Health Canada's scientists have thoroughly reviewed the scientific information available and as a result are considering re-listing saccharin in the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations to allow its use as a sweetener in certain foods.
- What is Saccharin?
- Information Document on the Proposal to Reinstate Saccharin for Use as a Sweetener in Foods in Canada
- Summary of Input Received on Health Canada's Conslutation to Reinstate Saccharin as a Food Additive
- Questions and Answers: Saccharin
Sugar Alcohols (Polyols) & Polydextrose
Sugar alcohols are a family of sweetening agents also known as "polyols". They occur naturally in small amounts in fruits and vegetables, but for large-scale commercial use they are manufactured from common sugars. Polydextrose is a compound synthesized from dextrose (glucose) that adds texture to food without adding sweetness.
Health Canada scientists have studied the human health effects of these compounds and have concluded that the addition of sugar alcohols and/or polydextrose to foods is safe.
About Stevia
Stevia extract is a natural sweetener that is not currently approved for use in food sold in Canada. Also, stevia leaves (fresh, dried, or powdered) are not accepted for use in prepackaged foods sold to consumers. However, stevia leaves without health claims CAN be sold in Canada to a consumer wishing to use this product for personal culinary use only. As an aside, stevia along with its extracts have been approved by Health Canada for use both as non-medicinal ingredients, and as medicinal ingredients, in certain natural health products.
