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Which sweetener?
Acesulfame-potassium - also known as acesulfame-k
Discovered E-number First available Sweetness Regulatory status 1967 by scientist Karl Clauss working for Hoechst AG E950 UK - 1983 130 200 times sweeter than sucrose Approved for use in over 100 countries including most of Europe, USA, Canada and Australia. EU: Permitted for use in the EU by Directive 94/35/EC (known as the Sweetener Directive). US: Approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a General Purpose Sweetener allowing it to be used in most food and beverage applications. Acesulfame-k also has Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) status which means that there are no upper limits for its use in individual categories. 15mg/kg of body weight (JECFA)

A quick guide to sweeteners used in beverages and other food types today

Aspartame
Discovered E-number First available Sweetness Whats it made of?

By American James Schlatter working for G D Searle in 1965 E951 United States - 1981 200 times sweeter than sucrose Two amino acids: L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine. The amino acids in aspartame are found naturally in most protein-containing foods including meats, dairy products and vegetables. Approved in more than 100 countries worldwide. EU: Permitted for use as per the Sweetener Directive. US: Classified as a General Purpose Sweetener and GMP status. 40mg/kg of body weight (JECFA) 50mg/kg of body weight (FDA)

Regulatory status

ADI

ADI

Properties in soft drinks Not used as a single sweetener because of its bitter, metallic aftertaste but used in combination with other sweeteners it can provide a clean, quickly perceptible taste. Good storage, temperature and pH stability. Blends Produced by Brands Qualitative and quantitative synergy with other sweeteners. Used extensively with aspartame. Nutrinova and various Chinese producers Sunett (Nutrinova) Scanchem (Nuscaan)

Properties in soft drinks Sugar-like taste. Enhances and intensifies citrus and other fruit flavours Blends Aspartame is one of the only sweeteners to have a good enough taste profile to be used on its own to replace sugar in soft drinks. Blends of aspartame with other sweeteners can lead to a synergy of about 30%. Can help to mask taste limitations of other sweeteners - used widely with acesulfame-K and/or saccharin. In addition to standard sweetener labelling, products containing aspartame are required to carry statements for Phenylketournia (PKU) requirements sufferers. PKU is a rare inherited disease that affects approximately one in 15,000 babies born. It prevents the essential amino acid phenylalanine from being properly metabolised. Babies in most countries are routinely screened for PKU so phenylketournics are aware of their condition. EU: Contains a source of phenylalanine US: Phenylketournics: contains a source of phenylalanine Ajinomoto, The NutraSweet Company and others NutraSweet (The NutraSweet Company)

Labelling

Aspartame-acesulfame salt
Discovered First available E-number Sweetness Whats it made of? 1995 UK - 2002 E962 Approximately 350 times sweeter than sucrose The salt of aspartame and acesulfame ionically bound together. On a weight basis aspartameacesulfame salt consists of 64% aspartame and 36% acesulfame. Permitted for use in the EU as per amendment 2003/115/EC to the Sweetener Directive. An authorised sweetener in the USA where it falls under existing regulations on aspartame and acesulfame-K. It can be used in Canada, Mexico, China, Russia, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Covered by the ADI values of its constituent parts aspartame and acesulfame (40mg/kg and 15mg/kg of body weight respectively). Clean sweetness profile. Excellent powder properties, rapidly dissolving, free flowing and non-hygroscopic. Already a blend in itself but can also be used with other intense sweeteners As per aspartame

Produced by Brands

Cyclamate
Discovered First available E-number Sweetness Regulatory status 1937 by scientists at the University of Illinois researching a drug to lower body temperature United States - 1950 E952 30-50 times sweeter than sucrose EU: Authorised for use as per the Sweetener Directive. Cyclamate is approved in more than 50 countries. US: Not approved for use in the US although a petition for the re-approval is still under review by the FDA. 4.46mg/kg of body weight: mean consumers (FSA) 3.83mg/kg of body weight: high level consumers (FSA). Used in combination with other sweeteners because of taste limitations and regulatory factors. Stable in high and low temperatures, good shelf life. Synergistic with other intense sweeteners including acesulfame K, aspartame, neohesperidine DC, saccharin and sucralose. Standard sweetener labelling requirements Various

Regulatory status

ADI Properties in soft drinks

ADI

Properties in soft drinks

Blends

Blends Labelling requirements

Managing Sweetness

Labelling requirements Produced by

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Neohesperidine-dihydrochalcone (DC)
Discovered E-number Sweetness Whats it made of? Regulatory status 1966 E959 At practical use levels it is about 400-600 times as sweet as sucrose Produced by hydrogenation of neohesperidine, a flavonoid occurring naturally in bitter oranges EU: Authorised for use as per the Sweetener Directive. Approval as a flavour or flavour ingredient exists in countries such as the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand with further approval sought elsewhere. Not approved as a general purpose sweetener in the US. 5mg /kg of body weight (EFSA) Typically used in combination with other sweeteners because of an aftertaste when used at high levels. At low concentrations it can improve flavour profile and mouth feel in certain applications and has bitterness reducing properties. Can enhance the quality of some sweetener blends Standard sweetener labelling requirements Various

Neotame
First available Sweetness Whats it made of? Regulatory status

United States - 2002 Approx 8,000 times Derivative of the dipeptide composed of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine FDA approved the use of neotame as a general purpose sweetener in July 2002. Neotame is also approved for use in Australia and New Zealand but not in the EU. 2mg/kg body weight Clean, sweet taste and unique flavour enhancement properties although the taste does linger due to the high level of potency Products on the market use neotame in blends with aspartame and/or acesulfame K Standard sweetener labelling required The NutraSweet Company

ADI Properties in soft drinks

ADI Properties in soft drinks

Blends Labelling requirements Produced by

Blends Labelling requirements Produced by

Saccharin
Discovered E-number Sweetness Regulatory status ADI

1879 in Germany by Constantin Fahlberg. First product on market. Used commercially since early 20th century increasing greatly during the World Wars because of sugar shortages. E954 300-500 times sweeter than sucrose One of the most thoroughly researched additives, approved in more than 90 countries worldwide. Saccharin is an authorised sweetener in the European Parliament and Council Directive 94/35/EC of 30 June 1994 on sweeteners for use in foodstuffs. 5mg/kg of body weight Highly stable with a good shelf life. Usually used in combination with other sweeteners because of taste limitations. Synergistic when combined with other low-calorie sweeteners In the USA, products containing saccharin were required to carry a warning label up until 2000 when, following years of research, legislation was passed giving saccharin a clean bill of health. Only standard labelling requirements now apply. Various

Properties in soft drinks Blends Labelling requirements Produced by

Sucralose
E-number Sweetness Whats it made of?

Thaumatin
Discovered E-number Sweetness Whats it made of? Regulatory status

Discovered Commercially available

1976 United States - 1998 E955 600 times sweeter than sugar Derived from sugar in a multi-patented manufacturing process that selectively substitutes three atoms of chlorine for three hydroxyl groups on the sugar molecule Currently approved for use in more than 50 countries worldwide including the European Union, Australia, Japan, China and Russia. USA in 1999 FDA declared it a general purpose sweetener of foods, meaning it can be used in any food at Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) levels in the USA 15mg/kg of bodyweight (JECFA) High quality of sweetness. Good water solubility. Excellent stability and shelf life Synergy with other low calorie sweeteners Standard sweetener labelling required Tate & Lyle Splenda (Tate & Lyle Sucralose and McNeil Specialty Products)

1855, when British explorer Danieli described the sweet flavour of the Katemfe fruit seed casing. E957 Approximately 2,000-3,000 times sweeter than sucrose A protein derived from the West African Katemfe fruit Thaumatococcus daniellii Authorised for use in the EU as per the sweetener directive and for use in foodstuffs and as a flavour enhancer under the Miscellaneous Additives Directive 95/2/EC. Also approved in the US, Israel and Japan among others. Approved as a flavour enhancer in the USA. Classified as GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) by the US Food and Drug Administration. JECFA gave thaumatin an ADI of not specified. Used in combination with other sweeteners. Often used as a flavour enhancer as well as a sweetener. Natural, intense sweetness, heat and pH stable. Delayed perception of sweetness, liquorice like aftertaste at high usage levels Synergistic when combined with other low calorie sweeteners Standard sweetener labelling requirements. Various
Managing Sweetness

Regulatory status

ADI

Properties in soft drinks

ADI Properties in soft drinks Blends Labelling requirements Produced by Brands

Limitations Blends Labelling requirements Produced by

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Future and bulk sweeteners

Alitame
Sweetness Whats it made of? Regulatory status 2,000-3,000 times sweeter than sucrose depending on the application Two amino acids L-aspartic acid and D-alanine and a novel amine Not approved for use in the EU or the USA. Approved for a range of foods and drinks in Australia, Chile, Columbia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Mexico, Hong Kong and China. Approval is being sought in the US, UK, Canada, Brazil and with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 1mg/kg of body weight (JECFA) Likely to be used in combination with other sweeteners. Clean, sweet taste with good stability and highly soluble. Synergistic when combined with certain low calorie sweeteners including acesulfame K, saccharin and cyclamate Standard sweetener labelling in countries where approved Danisco

Erythritol
Discovered

A fermentation process using natural raw materials derived from corn was developed by Cerestar. Commercial production of purified high quality erythritol started in 1993. Erythritol is a polyol and a bulk sweetener Approx 70% sweetness of sugar <0.2 kcal/g Now approved in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Netherlands among others, and in 2005 approved in Belgium, Finland and Argentina. EU approval to be published in 2006 with legal affect 18 months later. ADI not specified (JECFA 1999) Clean, sweet taste used in combination with intense sweeteners. It increases mouth feel and body perception in soft drinks and can mask bitterness. It is stable under acidic pH and processing conditions used, and upon storage. Compared to other polyol sweeteners erythritol has a high digestive tolerance. Synergy observed with aspartame and acesulfame K at various ratios Cargill (previously under Cerestar) Eridex (Cargill)

What is it? Sweetness Calorific value Regulatory status

ADI Properties in soft drinks

ADI Properties in soft drinks Blends

Blends Produced by Brands

Labelling requirements Produced by

Stevioside
Sweetness Whats it made of? Approximately 250 300 times sweeter than sugar Derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant originating in South America but also grown in some Asian countries Stevia extracts are approved for food use in several South American and Asian countries. In Japan, is used alone or in combination with other sweeteners in beverages etc. May be sold in the US as a dietary supplement but not as a sweetener or food additive. Lacks approval in Europe also. Both the EFSA and JECFA have found insufficient data to approve stevioside. ADI In June 2004 JECFA allocated a temporary ADI of 2mg/kg of body weight and requested further research data to be submitted by 2007 Liquorice like aftertaste but enhances sweet and savoury flavours Standard sweetener labelling in countries where approved Various

Polydextrose
What is it? Sweetness Calorific value Regulatory status

A water soluble speciality carbohydrate Tasteless and technically a bulking agent rather than a sweetener 1 kcal/g Polydextrose is GRAS in the USA. It is approved for use as a miscellaneous food additive in the EU and is also approved in most other countries. It is also recognised as a dietary fibre in many countries. ADI not specified (JECFA) Used in combination with intense sweeteners, the soft viscosity of polydextrose can improve mouth feel. It has excellent stability in low pH conditions. It can be used to develop fibre enriched products and is a proven prebiotic. Polydextrose can improve the sweetness profile of other sweeteners such as fructose and can mask the bitter flavour of some intense sweeteners such as acesulfame-k Danisco Sweeteners Litesse (Danisco)

Regulatory status

ADI Properties in drinks

Properties in soft drinks Labelling requirements Produced by

Blend

Produced by Brands

Latest approval for aspartame

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reconfirmed the safety of the sweetener aspartame at a May 2006 press conference in Rome. The EFSA rejected the conclusions of a recent study carried out by the Ramazzini Institute in Bologna, Italy, alleging that aspartame may be related to an increased risk of leukaemia and lymphoma in rats. The EFSA panel concluded that: There is no need to further review the safety of aspartame nor to revise the previously established acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame. According to information from the International Sweeteners Association (ISA), this latest opinion from the EFSA is entirely consistent with the global scientific consensus that aspartame is safe.
Managing Sweetness

EFSAs conclusions are also supported by the findings of three recent US government funded animal studies conducted by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP), designed to evaluate whether aspartame is capable of causing cancer. The results indicated: there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity in aspartame. Aspartame, first approved for use in Europe in 1979 and by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1981, is one of the most thoroughly studied food ingredients ever. In addition to a previous opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission (now EFSA), the Food and Drug Administration in the USA, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, regulatory agencies in more than 100 countries have reviewed aspartame and found it to be safe. It is currently used in more than 6,000 food, drink and medicine brands.