UK experts are advising that younger children should not consume drinks containing artificial sweeteners. The recommendations come from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which specifically mentions beverages like sugar-free squash that include sweeteners such as aspartame, stevia, saccharin, and sucralose. Instead, SACN suggests that preschoolers should develop a preference for water.
While artificial sweeteners can assist older children in reducing sugar intake, concerns exist regarding their impact on children’s taste preferences, potentially leading to a lifelong inclination for sweet flavors. The committee’s review of existing evidence reveals that the effectiveness of sweeteners in reducing tooth decay is limited, although a decrease in free sugars—alongside other dietary improvements—could enhance overall health.
SACN acknowledges that sweeteners might help with short- to medium-term weight management but asserts their use is not essential. The committee highlights a notable lack of data concerning the exposure of the UK population to these sweeteners and calls for the government to collect more comprehensive information.
In response, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing obesity, including measures to limit child-targeted junk food advertising. Professor Robin May from the Food Standards Agency supported SACN’s request for the food industry to disclose the amounts of sweeteners in their products to better inform public health assessments.
Conversely, Professor Graham Finlayson from the University of Leeds cautioned against making abrupt policy changes, arguing that the evidence is not strong enough to entirely reject non-sugar sweeteners as a means of reducing sugar consumption. The International Sweeteners Association echoed this sentiment, advocating for ongoing research into the role of low-calorie sweeteners in promoting healthier dietary choices.
