Non-sugar sweeteners are used in a variety of food & drinks Aussies and Kiwis enjoy every day, because they’re a great way to give people the taste they love, without the sugar and the kilojoules.
Experts say non-sugar sweeteners are safe to consume. Leading food and drink safety agencies around the world, including Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have confirmed based on decades of science that non-sugar sweeteners are safe for consumption in food and drinks.
As part of an overall healthy, balanced and varied diet, you can choose no-sugar drinks to support hydration; to help manage sugar intake; and as a replacement for drinks with higher sugar content.
In consultation with your health professional, no-sugar drinks may also be helpful if you’re managing diabetes or your weight and would like to enjoy sweet-tasting drinks without sugar.
Commonly used non-sugar sweeteners in drinks include acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), aspartame, monk fruit extract, steviol glycosides and sucralose. You can find a wide variety of sweeteners approved by global food regulators including Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website.
Sugar-sweetened beverages include any non-alcoholic drink that contains added sugar. These types of drinks include soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, cordial, flavoured mineral water and iced tea.
All sugar naturally present in fruits, berries, vegetables and 100% fruit juice, and lactose/sugar in milk.
Added sugar includes all types of sugar, such as sucrose, honey or syrups that are added to the food or beverage by the manufacturer.
In order to maintain a balanced diet, we need to be aware of the amount of sugar we consume.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends no more than 10% of total daily energy intake should come from free sugars. That is the equivalent to 50g of sugar for a typical adult with a healthy body mass index.
In Australia, dietary guidelines¹ recommend intakes of foods rather than specific nutrients. This is important as all nutrients, like sugar, have a role in the diet. By checking labels on drinks, you can become more aware of what types of foods and drinks you are consuming, and of their ingredients to suit your dietary needs.
