The environmental risks of artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are a ubiquitous part of western diets. They are food additives that provide sweetness with no or at least few calories unlike natural sugars. Artificial sweeteners are generally used for their perceived health benefits and there are on going debates regarding their benefits for obesity and weight-related diabetes alongside concerns for their toxicological safety. However, evidence has begun to emerge of their presence in the environment and are now a newly recognized class of environmental contaminants. Artificial sweeteners are currently undergoing regulatory review by the EFSA and the environmental risks need to be fully considered. This project will undertake systematic reviews and critical evaluation of the information of the 15 sweeteners undergoing regulatory review.