Classification and Uses of Sugar

Other Sweeteners

A number of sweeteners other than sugar (sucrose) are permitted for use in Canada. These include both nutritive sweeteners (other sugars and sugar alcohols) and non-nutritive or non-caloric sweeteners (e.g. acesulfame-potassium, aspartame, sucralose). Definitions, permitted uses and labelling requirements are described in the Food and Drug regulations and Maple Products Regulations.

• Definitions under Canadian regulations
• Nutritive Sweeteners
• Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
• References

Definitions under Canadian Regulations

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Nutritive Sweeteners

Sugars, Sugar Syrups and Sugar Alcohols

Nutritive Sweeteners include sugars, sugar syrups and sugar alcohols. They are considered to be “nutritive sweeteners” or caloric sweeteners because they all provide energy.

“Sweetening agents” and “sweetening ingredients” include sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose) and other sugar products such as molasses, honey, maple syrup, and corn sweeteners (fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup). All provide approximately 4 Calories per gram. Sweetening agents are defined in Division 18 and sweetening ingredients in Division 11 of the Food and Drug Regulations. Maple syrup, maple products, and substitutes are defined in the Maple Product Regulations [2, 12, 19, MPR].

Sugar alcohols (or polyols) are “nutritive” sweeteners because they provide calories. Energy values range from 2 to 3 Calories per gram. They are considered food additives and are listed in Division 16, Table IX of the Food and Drug Regulations.

Sugar alcohols permitted in Canada include isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, maltitol syrup, mannitol, sorbitol, sorbitol syrup, xylitol, and erythritol. If a product contains sugar alcohols, it must be listed as an ingredient in the ingredient list, and its content must be declared in the Nutrition Facts Table as “sugar alcohols”, “polyols”, or the name of the sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols contribute to both the total carbohydrate and energy in a food product. They are expressed in grams per stated serving size. According to the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising, the energy values for sugar alcohols are as follows:

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Non nutritive Sweeteners

Acesulfame-Potassium, Aspartame, Neotame and Sucralose

Acesulfame-potassium, aspartame, neotame, and sucralose are defined as food additives that may be used as “sweeteners” in Division 16, Table IX of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). These sweeteners are considered to be “non-nutritive” because they provide insignificant energy. They are also sometimes referred to as high-intensity sweeteners, sugar substitutes, sugar replacers, or alternative sweeteners.

These sweeteners are approved for use as table-top sweeteners and in foods as listed in the FDR. These sweeteners can only be added to certain foods, in certain amounts, and must be listed on food package labels. The label of a food containing one or more of these sweeteners must carry:

• A statement on the principal display panel of the package, which states that the food “contains (name of the sweetener)” or is “sweetened with (name of sweetener).”
• If any of these sweeteners are used in conjunction with other another sweetener or sweetening agent, a statement of the principle display panel that the food “contains” or is “sweetened with (name of the sweetener and [name of other sweetener or sweetening agent])”.
• A Nutrition Facts table.
• The (name of the sweetener) content expressed in milligrams per serving of stated size on any part of the label, except in the Nutrition Facts table, grouped together with the ingredient list.
• In the case of aspartame, a statement grouped together with the ingredient list that aspartame contains phenylalanine.
• In the case of neotame, if the label of the food does not carry a nutrition facts table, a statement must be included that includes the energy value, the protein, fat and carbohydrate content per serving of stated size; and the neotame content expressed in milligrams.

In addition to the information above, a table top sweetener that contains aspartame, sucralose or acesulfame-potassium (singly or in combination) must carry a statement of the sweetness per serving and may carry the words “low calorie” if it meets specific criteria as set out in the FDR.

Cyclamate and Saccharin

Saccharin and cyclamate sweeteners are not permitted in foods, and may only be sold for direct consumer use under specified conditions outlined in the FDR (Part E, Cyclamate and Saccharin Sweeteners). Since 1978, saccharin sweeteners may only be sold in pharmacies. Furthermore, the labels of each of these products must show a list of ingredients, declaration of energy value, the quantity of specific constituents that are found in the sweetener, along with cautionary statements regarding their use. The cautionary statements are as follows:

• In the case of cyclamate, a statement that the sweetener should be used only on the advice of a physician.
• In the case of saccharin, a statement that continued use of saccharin may be injurious to health, and that the sweetener should not be used by pregnant women except on the advice of a physician.

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References

Food and Drug Regulations, Department of Justice of Canada

Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Position of the American Dietetic Association: Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners, American Dietetic Association, 2004.

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