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Are artificial sweeteners bad for you? WHO, FDA and IARC findings on sucralose, stevia and more.

Updated October 24, 2026

What the WHO 2023 guideline on non-sugar sweeteners says, what the FDA allows, how sucralose, saccharin, stevia, monk fruit and sugar alcohols differ, and which catalog products list them.

Quick answer

In May 2023 the WHO issued a conditional recommendation against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight or reduce disease risk. Its review found no long-term benefit for body fat and possible links to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality, which it says may be confounded. It covers sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, neotame, advantame, cyclamates and stevia, and excludes sugar alcohols. The FDA treats the approved sweeteners as safe within acceptable daily intakes. People with diabetes were outside the WHO guideline.

WHO guideline: May 15, 2023, conditional
Covers: Sucralose, stevia, aspartame and others
Excludes: Sugar alcohols, people with diabetes
FDA view: Safe within acceptable daily intakes

Your avoid list

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01 · A closer look

What the WHO guideline says.

The WHO’s May 2023 guideline recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. A systematic review found no long-term benefit for reducing body fat in adults or children, and suggested that long-term use may be linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults. The WHO rates the recommendation conditional and says these links may be confounded by participants’ baseline characteristics and complex patterns of use. It does not apply to people with pre-existing diabetes, and the examples it lists are acesulfame K, advantame, aspartame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia with its derivatives.

WHO: advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline (May 15, 2023)

02 · A closer look

What the FDA allows.

The FDA lists six high-intensity sweeteners approved as food additives: aspartame, acesulfame potassium, advantame, neotame, saccharin and sucralose. Steviol glycosides from the stevia leaf and monk fruit extract are on the market through GRAS notices for certain highly purified forms, while whole-leaf and crude stevia extracts are not permitted as sweeteners, and cyclamates are prohibited. Its intake limits are on the aspartame guide linked below. IARC’s official list also places saccharin and its salts in Group 3, not classifiable.

FDA: high-intensity sweeteners (content current as of Dec 19, 2017)

03 · A closer look

Sucralose, stevia, monk fruit and sugar alcohols.

Sucralose is one of the six approved additives, and this checker flags it. Stevia and monk fruit are plant-derived and are not flagged here, though the WHO guideline names stevia derivatives among the sweeteners it advises against for weight control. Sugar alcohols such as erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and maltitol are not covered by the WHO recommendation. The FDA describes them as sweet at 25 to 100 percent of sugar, slightly lower in calories, not promoting tooth decay and not causing a sudden rise in blood glucose.

Common sweeteners, their regulatory route and how this site treats them
Sweetener	Label names	FDA route	Flagged here
Sucralose	Sucralose, Splenda, E955	Approved food additive	Yes
Aspartame	Aspartame, Equal, E951	Approved food additive	Yes
Saccharin	Saccharin, Sweet’N Low, E954	Approved food additive	Yes
Acesulfame potassium	Acesulfame K, Ace-K, E950	Approved food additive	Yes
Stevia	Stevia leaf extract, steviol glycosides, rebaudioside A	GRAS notices for purified forms	No
Monk fruit	Monk fruit extract, luo han guo	GRAS notices	No
Sugar alcohols	Erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol	Described on the FDA sweetener page	No

FDA: high-intensity sweeteners (content current as of Dec 19, 2017)

04 · A closer look

How to use this on a label.

Read the ingredient list, because “zero sugar”, “diet” and “no added sugar” claims do not say which sweetener is used. The catalog products below include some that list a flagged sweetener and some that list stevia, monk fruit or a sugar alcohol; open a product to see its full label and verification date. Whether to avoid any sweetener is your call. This page is a label reference, not medical advice, and people with diabetes should ask a clinician.

Useful answers

Are artificial sweeteners bad for you?

The WHO conditionally recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control weight or disease risk, citing no long-term fat-loss benefit and possible links to diabetes, heart disease and mortality that may be confounded. The FDA considers approved sweeteners safe within acceptable daily intakes.

Is sucralose bad for you?

The FDA approved sucralose and sets an acceptable daily intake of 5 mg per kg of body weight. The WHO guideline on non-sugar sweeteners includes sucralose.

Is stevia an artificial sweetener?

Highly purified steviol glycosides come from the stevia leaf and are sold under GRAS notices. This checker does not flag stevia, but the WHO guideline includes stevia derivatives.

Are sugar alcohols included in the WHO advice?

No. The WHO excluded sugar alcohols (polyols) because they contain calories.

Does the WHO say people with diabetes should avoid sweeteners?

No. People with pre-existing diabetes were outside the guideline, so ask a clinician.

An ingredient check is not a nutrition, contaminant, allergy, or safety assessment.

The short answer

Our picks for artificial sweeteners and health

Clear winnerJust Ingredients Chai Protein Powder Stick, 75/100: no tracked additive group on its label, no verified organic claim, verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim.

No 100 yetNothing on this shelf reaches 100 yet. A 100 needs a label with none of the nine groups we check plus a verified organic claim (and, for animal foods, a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim), and none of the 24 labels we have verified here meets all of that. These are the best available picks, not a perfect score.

Runners-upSwerve Allulose Blend (71), Twinings Chai Latte K-Cup Pods (71), and Zevia Fruit Punch (71).

Clear noOptimum Nutrition Coffee Flavored Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder Drink Mix (lists seed oils and artificial sweeteners), Schweppes Diet Ginger Ale (lists artificial sweeteners and artificial preservatives), Pedialyte Grape Electrolyte Powder (lists artificial dyes and artificial sweeteners), plus 10 more with a listed group.

Ranked from 24 of 24 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.

Compare the recorded labels

Find the ingredients that matter to you.

Only show matches

24 of 24 products

“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.

Compare product claims and recorded ingredients. Click a column heading to sort.
		Buy
	75 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients Grass-Fed Non-Denatured Whey Protein, Organic Coconut Milk (with Tapioca Starch), Grass-Fed Collagen, Organic Pea Protein, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Vanilla Extract (with Tapioca Starch), Organic Chia Seed Protein, Sea Salt, Organic Cardamom, Organic Clove, Organic Ginger, Organic Nutmeg, Organic Stevia Leaf Extract, Organic Star Anise, Vanilla Bean, Organic White Pepper, Organic Black Pepper, Organic Monk Fruit Extract Label checked 2026-10-04 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-04
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cold Brew Coffee, Sea Salt, Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom, Monk Fruit Extract, Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cold Brew Coffee, Sea Salt, Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom, Monk Fruit Extract, Milk Protein Concentrate Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Tapioca Fiber, Coconut Oil, Coconut Flakes, Almonds, Pea Protein Isolate, Pea Protein Concentrate, Chia Seeds, Cinnamon, Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract, Natural Flavors, Rosemary Extract (To Preserve Freshness). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC BANANAS, ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER SEEDS, ORGANIC DUTCH PROCESS COCOA, CALCIUM AND POTASSIUM BLEND (CALCIUM CARBONATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE), GELLAN GUM, ORGANIC STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Buy on Amazon ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Almonds, Shredded Coconut, Chocolate Liquor† (Cocoa Beans†), Brazil Nuts, Pecans, Monk Fruit Sweetener (Erythritol, Monk Fruit Extract), Macadamia Nuts, Flax Seeds, Chia Seeds, Sea Salt (*indicates dry roasted) (†indicates ORGANIC) Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Citric Acid, Dextrose, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Organic Green Tea Extract, Magnesium Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Stevia Leaf Extract, Avocado Oil, Malic Acid, Riboflavin (for color). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients PROTEIN BLEND (MILK PROTEIN ISOLATE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE), POLYDEXTROSE (PREBIOTIC FIBER), WATER, ALMONDS, ERYTHRITOL, PALM KERNEL OIL, SODIUM CASEINATE, GLYCERIN. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Allulose, Natural Flavor Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Buy on Amazon ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Cane sugar, coconut creamer (coconut oil, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate (milk), mono & diglycerides, silicon dioxide, maltodextrin, natural flavour, black tea extract, salt, guar gum, spices (including cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom), monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Stevia Extract Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients PREPARED NAVY BEANS, WATER, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, MUSTARD (WATER, VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, PAPRIKA, TURMERIC), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, ONION POWDER, YEAST EXTRACT, CARAMEL COLOR, NATURAL FLAVORS, SPICES, SUCRALOSE, GARLIC POWDER Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2596114 · data date 2023-07-13 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Buy on Amazon ↗Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients Pea Protein, Pecans, Almonds, Soy Protein Isolate, High Oleic Sunflower Oil and/or Canola Oil, Corn Flour, Chickpeas, Tapioca Starch, Chicory Root Fiber, Rice Flour, Corn Fiber, Pea Fiber, Whey, Oat Fiber, Allulose, Salt, Food Starch - Modified, Potato Fiber, Caramel Color, Guar Gum, Onion Powder, Monocalcium Phosphate, Baking Soda, Honey Powder, Garlic Powder, Mustard (Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Salt, Paprika, Turmeric), Xanthan Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Sugar, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Vinegar Powder, Acacia Gum, Mixed Tocopherols (to preserve freshness), Yeast, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Corn Starch. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients FILTERED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TEA, ASPARTAME, POTASSIUM CITRATE, NATURAL FLAVORS, MALIC ACID. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2243921 · data date 2022-04-01 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients PURE FILTERED WATER, LEMON JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE, LESS THAN 0.5% OF: NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID (PROVIDES TARTNESS), VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID), POTASSIUM CITRATE (REGULATES TARTNESS), GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, ASPARTAME, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, ADDS A NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT OF SUGAR Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2595038 · data date 2023-07-13 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients INSTANT COFFEE, CARAMELIZED SUGAR, CARAMEL COLOR, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2674630 · data date 2023-11-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients CRANBERRIES, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, SUGAR, GLYCERIN, SUCRALOSE. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2439318 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients DEXTROSE, SACCHARIN, CREAM OF TARTAR, CALCIUM SILICATE (AN ANTI-CAKING AGENT) Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2622098 · data date 2023-08-31 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Raw young coconut, raw young coconut water, cacao, vanilla extract, spices, probiotic cultures, and stevia. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	55 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Taurine, Natural Flavors, Erythritol, Sodium Citrate, L-Theanine, Caffeine, Sucralose, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Sodium Benzoate (preservative), L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, Acesulfame Potassium, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Inositol, Glucuronolactone, Salt, D-Calcium Pantothenate(Vitamin B5), Guarana Seed Extract, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	55 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	2
Recorded ingredients MILK PROTEIN BLEND (CALCIUM CASEINATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE), GLYCERIN, BOVINE COLLAGEN HYDROLYSATE, MALTITOL, POLYDEXTROSE, WATER, COCOA BUTTER, DRY WHOLE MILK, ROASTED CASHEW PIECES, SUNFLOWER OIL, UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE, PEANUT PASTE (PEANUTS), COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SALT, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, SUCRALOSE. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	55 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	2
Recorded ingredients DEXTROSE, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, POTASSIUM CITRATE, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE; LESS THAN 2% OF: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CALCIUM SILICATE, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, RED 40, AND BLUE 1. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2642243 · data date 2023-09-14 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	55 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients CARBONATED WATER, MALIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), ASPARTAME, NATURAL FLAVORS, CARAMEL COLOR, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2571062 · data date 2023-06-29 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	55 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	2
Recorded ingredients Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Flour, Soy Protein Concentrate, Rice Flour, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon Ground, Natural Flavor, Salt, Sucralose, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	47 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	2
Recorded ingredients PROTEIN BLEND (WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PEPTIDES), COFFEE POWDER, CREAMER (SUNFLOWER OIL, MALTODEXTRIN, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, TOCOPHEROLS), LECITHIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE, LACTASE. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2386818 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).

How the clean score works

No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.

Primary sources