Sugar substitutes and taste enhancers need more science, sensitivity- and allergy-guided labeling

Abstract

There is new attention to food safety resulting from the second White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, as well as new advisories from the World Health Organization calling for more research on sugar substitutes because of possible cancer risks. Together they point to a need for rethinking how we study sugar substitutes and taste enhancers as potentially contributing to adverse health changes. In addition to the need for more research on sweeteners and taste enhancers, including the use of sensitive bioassays, and epidemiological and human clinical trial studies, there should be a call for better truth in labeling, especially including single names for such dietary elements that would afford easier recognition and potential avoidance by those with sensitivities and allergies.