ATLANTA –Canadian consumers can now enjoy the benefits of sugar-free chewing gum, desserts, and other consumer products sweetened with the zero calorie sweetener saccharin. On April 24, 2014, Health Canada, the regulatory body in charge of approving food ingredients and improving the lives of Canadians, approved the use of saccharin and its salts in several food categories. Canadians looking to reduce calories or those with diabetes monitoring blood sugar will soon be able to find saccharin on the label of some foods in Canada.iStock_000016328105-Small

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After a thorough review of the scientific evidence indicating no safety concerns, Health Canada approved the use of saccharin, calcium saccharin, potassium saccharin and sodium saccharin as an ingredient, adding the low-calorie sweetener and its salts to its List of Permitted Sweeteners in the following food categories: breath freshener products; unstandardized canned fruit; chewing gum; unstandardized frozen desserts; toppings; topping mixes; unstandardized alcoholic liqueurs; unstandardized, non-alcoholic beverages; and unstandardized fruit spreads.

“The Calorie Control Council and its members are excited about the approval of saccharin and its salts for several uses in Canada,” stated Haley Stevens, Ph.D., President of the Calorie Control Council. “Low-calorie sweeteners, including saccharin, have been shown to be safe for decades by regulatory and government agencies around the world, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Saccharin provides the sweet taste consumers desire, without the extra calories. Low-calorie sweeteners, along with proper diet and exercise, can be used as tools to assist in weight loss and management.”

For additional information about the benefits and safety of saccharin, please visit saccharin.org.