Anvisa evaluates new WHO guideline on sweeteners

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) reported that it will evaluate, together with the Ministry of Health and other government entities, in addition to non-governmental actors, the new guideline of the World Health Organization (WHO) on sugar-free sweeteners. Last Monday (15), the United Nations body published a note in which it advises against the use of this type of product for weight control or as a strategy to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. In a statement, Anvisa highlighted that the WHO study is not intended to review the safety profile of sugar-free sweeteners. “The recommendation is conditional, since there is a need to gather more information about the consequences versus the benefits of their adoption, suggesting that countries broaden the discussion in their territories, including data on the extent of consumption of these substances by the national population”. “It is important to highlight that the use of sweeteners in Brazil must be authorized by the agency, which carries out safety assessments for these products. The analysis is carried out based on the guidelines of the Committee of Experts on the Safety Assessment of Food Additives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WHO.” Understand The WHO recommendation is based on results of a systematic review of available evidence suggesting that the use of sugar-free sweeteners does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children. The list includes aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and derivatives. The results of the review, according to the organization, also suggest that there may be undesirable potential effects from the long-term use of sweeteners, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults. Still according to the entity, the act of replacing sugar with sweeteners does not help in long-term weight control. The WHO urges people to consider other ways to reduce their sugar intake, such as eating fruit and other naturally sweetened foods, as well as sugar-free foods and drinks. “The recommendation applies to all persons, except individuals with pre-existing diabetes, and includes all synthetic, natural or modified sweeteners that are not classified as sugars found in packaged foods and beverages or sold separately in foods and beverages.”

Agência Brasil