BOTIA CAN
- Detect non-sugar sweeteners declared on the label.
- Distinguish them from sugar alcohols, which fall under different criteria.
- Signal when a 'sugar-free' product contains multiple sweeteners.
Not Sugar
Not sugar. But not neutral either.
Sweeteners add sweetness with little or no energy. Some are non-sugar sweeteners; others are sugar alcohols, which do provide calories. They appear in products marketed as 'light', 'zero' or 'diet'.
Why this matters
WHO advised in 2023 against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight control. That recommendation is conditional, and it is not a safety assessment — it states that the evidence does not show a long-term benefit for weight management, not that these substances are unsafe. It applies to aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamates, advantame, neotame and stevia derivatives. It does not apply to sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, which the guideline explicitly excludes because they are sugar derivatives that provide energy.
What BOTIA looks for
BOTIA detects two distinct groups. Non-sugar sweeteners: aspartame (E951), acesulfame K (E950), sucralose (E955), saccharin (E954), cyclamates (E952), advantame (E969), neotame (E961) and steviol glycosides (E960). And sugar alcohols: sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol — which are not covered by the WHO 2023 recommendation and do contain calories. Each has a different profile.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Tell you whether sweeteners are safe for you personally.
- Quantify your daily sweetener intake or cumulative exposure.
- Replace medical or nutritional advice.
If you are monitoring sweetener intake, check both the ingredient list and the nutrition label.
Sources: WHO Non-Sugar Sweeteners (2023) · EFSA Sweeteners Re-evaluation
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