Sucralose, a chemical sweetener sold under the brand name Splenda, is found in more than 6,000 food products, including many “diet” sodas.

By U.S. Right to Know/Children’s Health Defense

Sucralose is the most widely used artificial sweetener in the U.S. Most commonly sold under the brand name Splenda, the chemical is used in over 6,000 food products.

It is often found in “diet” sodas including Diet Coke with Splenda, Diet Pepsi with Splenda, as well as Gatorade’s Propel Water, low-calorie Kool-Aid, Atkins Diet products and other low-calorie foods and drinks.

Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar and contains no calories. Although it has been marketed as a healthy product that can help fend off obesity and diabetes, sucralose consumption has been linked to leukemia, weight gain, obesity, diabetes, liver inflammation, metabolic dysfunction and other illnesses.

Sucralose backers have also claimed it is poorly absorbed and does not significantly bioaccumulate in the human body. However, a 2018 study found that sucralose metabolizes and bioaccumulates in rats.

Based on this recent science, U.S. Right to Know petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to investigate deceptive advertising claims by Tate & Lyle and Coca-Cola.

Key facts about sucralose

  • In May 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised people not to consume non-sugar sweeteners, including sucralose, for weight loss. The recommendation is based on a systematic review of the most current scientific evidence, which suggests that consumption of non-sugar sweeteners is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, as well as increased body weight.
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