Spanish study confirms sweeteners present in 2,469 supermarket products

A new Spanish study has identified 2,469 food and beverage products on the market that contain low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS). Published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, the research by CIBEROBN scientists reveals an upward trend in sweetener use as manufacturers reformulate to reduce sugar content Source: Infobae.

What the study found

Using the NUTRIFEN database, which covers 85% of the Spanish food market, researchers analyzed ingredient labels and found that:

• The category 'Soft drinks, bottled waters and others' accounts for 36.65% of products with sweeteners Source: La Vanguardia.
• 'Chocolate bars, confectionery, sweet coatings and desserts' now ranks second (24.58%), overtaking fruit juices and nectars Source: El Confidencial.
• The most common sweetener is acesulfame K (58.24%), followed by sucralose (43.62%) and aspartame (32.28%) Source: Infobae.

Changes in sweetener use

A key trend is the shift toward combining multiple sweeteners: most products contain two or three, and some up to eight, compared to 15–20 years ago when a single sweetener was typical Source: El Confidencial. First author Asier Léniz stresses that these results highlight "the need for continuous monitoring of the food market" Source: Infobae.

Implications for consumers and regulators

The researchers say this information can help consumers make informed choices, especially those managing sugar intake or with specific dietary needs. For authorities, it provides an updated picture of sweetener usage that can support reformulation tracking, labeling evaluation, and future nutrition policies Source: La Vanguardia.