Sucraloser

Wasn't it just not too long ago that sucralose (sold under the name, Splenda), was passed by the FDA, and billed as the next-generation artificial sweetener? We all heard about its inert properties, how it was 600 times sweeter than sugar. This made it the instant heir to the aspartame (NutraSweet) throne, because the latter was getting the rap for its carcinogenic properties found — though passed by the FDA — and sucralose's inert properties meant that it would just pass through the body, therefore not reacting with any of its processes and interfering with any "natural" functions. Also, its being 600 times sweeter meant that we wouldn't need to use as much as aspartame (or sugar, for that matter), lowering chances further of poisoning by it.

Actually, it was just in 1999 that sucralose was passed, and barely 5 years since, people are beginning to find serious problems with it. Anything surprising? Hardly. Just the usual cries of toxicity, poisoning found in lab tests; just the same stuff we heard about aspartame, really. It turns out that sucralose does break down into 1,6-dichlorofructose — a chemical not yet tested extensively. Ooh, something we don't know about. Cue widespread paranoia.

Does this mean we need to swear off sucralose entirely? I doubt it. Its benefits still reign prominently, and people, knowing the problems with aspartame, still use it; what's to stop them from using the newer, better-tasting, less risky (for now) sweetener?

They have that new C2 coke, of course, which is just regular coke with half the sugar. Isn't that cool? Now we can have two.

The point is, moderation, people. All the ruckus about sucralose is arising from poison reports detailing results found in the equivalent of 10kg of sucralose being used in a person. Hello? 10kg of sucralose is like eating your entire head's worth of it. I think 10kg worth of most things at once would make you sick, let alone artificial sweetener.

As for the FDA, I think it's only safe after at least a 5-10 year period has passed on products that it passes, because I'm beginning to spot a trend, here.

Article Author: Victoria Ho

Victoria Ho is a writer, photographer and full-time geek. She lives and writes in Singapore.

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