Aspartame and the Food Industry: Navigating Changing Consumer Preferences
Aspartame is a non-saccharide sweetener, used as a sugar substitute majorly in foods and beverages. They have 200 times more sweetness of sugar, yet deliver significantly fewer calories and are made from amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid. They are also widely utilized in the pharmaceutical industry as part of a carefully controlled diet by those who are diabetic. It is produced by fermentation and is generally safe to use when consumed in moderate amounts. Aspartame is commonly found in “diet,” “no sugar added,” and “sugar-free” products like soft drinks, drink mixes, gelatin desserts, frozen desserts, jams, fruit spreads, yogurt, cereal, candy, chewing gum, condiments, and packaged sweeteners.
Increasing health concerns and growing demand for sugar-free products, low-calorie food, and confectionery products are fueling aspartame’s popularity. Further, the request for low-calorie sugar options is rising with the rise in obesity levels and diabetes, leading to customers necessitating to follow healthier life choices. Since the aspartame flavor profile resembles sugar without calories it is a popular alternative. It is one of the foremost tested and studied items in the market around the world. They are cost-effective and efficient which provides more opportunities for product advancement and new pharmaceutical applications which is leading to driving market development in the coming years.
Furthermore, there has been an increase in the available disposable income for consumers which has in turn led to more spending on food products especially on low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame. This results in consumers not compromising on the quality of the products but rather demanding healthy and tasteful products that will subsequently, cause a rise in the use of aspartame products. Following this, the International Energy Outlook 2023 sources showed that the overall disposable income per capita was US$10,136 in 2022. This figure is expected to increase to US$10,677 by 2025 and eventually amount to US$11,862 by 2030. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific will be valued at US$11,152 per capita, while the Americas region is predicted to be valued at US$23,240 per capita in 2030 while Europe and Eurasia are expected to amount to US$21,974 per capita by 12030. The Africa and Middle East accounted for growth to US$2,402 by 2030, contributing to the aspartame industry growth.
The rising health concern related to sugar content in beverages in several European countries will propel the demand for beverages having lower sugar content. For instance- the ongoing UNDESA target includes a 10% reduction in average added sugar in soft drinks by 2025 across the EU and UK. This will result in a reduction of around 33% in average added sugar over the previous two decades. Moreover, aspartame is widely used in many food products because, it has received a significant endorsement from several regulatory bodies which include Health Canada, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the FDA. This is important since it has ensured that aspartame remains a safe and effective artificial sweetener for human use.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization’s cancer research arm, has categorized aspartame, an artificial sweetener used in food products like diet soda and sugar-free gums, as potentially carcinogenic to humans. While the IARC has not ruled conclusively on a link between aspartame and liver cancer, several regulatory bodies including the FDA reported the shortcomings of the IARC research and have emphasized that if used within certain guidelines, aspartame is safe for human consumption. Since 1981, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has stated that aspartame does not have any link actual link to cancer as of the July 2023 report. Additionally, the FDA has stated that JECFA has not raised any safety concerns for aspartame at current usage levels or altered the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). ame is the view of the regulatory bodies of various countries including Europe and the USA.
Figure 1: Rise in Disposable Income Per Capita Globally, in Us$, in 2022, 2025, and 2030
Source: International Energy Outlook 2023
In addition, the strong and relevant regulatory support that exists for aspartame gives a sturdy base for its persistent use with no impending risk of being discontinued, even though there are constant arguments and debates on the safety of aspartame. Safety approval from well-recognized health organizations gives consumers assurance about no possible health risks associated with aspartame and eases its acceptance. Food producers seek regulatory approval to make sure everything is in order and that they do not face any legal complications. The high demand and approval of aspartame enables food producers to give customers a similar range of products globally.
These supportive regulatory agencies serve as a signal of the necessity to conduct more studies and develop new innovations on the use and safety of aspartame in food. Thereby various companies are utilizing it in the form of no-added sugar for new products. For instance, in May 2023, Barry Callebaut, a global manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products introduced two new products into the Mexican region known as Callebaut NXT and SICAO Zero. This region has a high demand for chocolate and confectioneries given that over 45% of the population consumes these products every week. The SICAO Zero is a unique chocolate variant where one gets the satisfaction of chocolate but without sugar. This particular variant of chocolate is high quality and easy to use while still being economically friendly and therefore it fits the people who love chocolate but are worried about health issues.
Similarly, in April 2022, Fresh Del Monte® UK entered into a collaborative agreement with Scottish beverage company OTG to launch the ‘A Kick of Fruit’ range of energy drinks in selected clubs, hotels, and bars across the UK. They include Pineapple, Mango, Passion Fruit and Lime, Blood Orange Spritz, Pineapple with Mint Lime, Pineapple Grapefruit Lime, Lemon Ginger, and Pomegranate Raspberry juices, all of which come with 20% real fruit juice, no added sugar and other preservatives.
Company Products:
| Products | Description |
| Wipro Sweet ‘n’ Healthy | Wipro Sweet ‘n’ Healthy is a low-calorie sugar tablet that does not alter taste but provides sweetness similar to a teaspoon of sugar. It has Aspartame, which is a low-calorie sweetener, the use of which boosts health and fitness. By incorporating Sweet ‘n’ Healthy in place of sugar, an individual can cut down on calories by 160kcal per day which is the equivalent of walking for one hour. This tablet is safer because it duplicates the original sweetness associated with sugar. |
| Sugar-Free Gold | Sugar-Free Gold sweetener contains aspartame which is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is used in tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other drinks making it a healthy sugar alternative. It does not add calories and therefore it is useful for people who are conscious of sugars and the amount they consume. It serves the purpose of sweetening drinks and is also advantageous for diverse applications. |
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