Sugar brings joy to all of us in some form, it could be your morning coffee, a soft drink at lunch or an ice cream for dessert. Many prefer its substitutes though, especially when it comes to soft drink. How many are there & are they a healthy alternative to sugar?
Sugar is a natural carbohydrate found in many foods and a contributing source of energy for our bodies. The most familiar form is sucrose; a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. Other common sugars include glucose (dextrose), fructose which is found in fruit, lactose found in dairy products and maltose from malted products. Most commercial sugar in Australia and New Zealand comes from sugarcane and while supermarket varieties like white, brown, or raw sugar might look different nutritionally they’re all similar.
There are multiple sweeteners available on the shelves to meet the demand for low- or no-calorie options, especially among people watching their sugar intake or levels. The food industry uses intense sweeteners which are substances many times sweeter than sugar used in tiny amounts.
Here’s a summary of some common ones:
| Sweetener & FSANZ Additive Number | Sweetness vs Sugar | Key Facts |
| Aspartame (951) | ~200x | Found in soft drinks and yogurt. Made from amino acids. |
| Acesulphame Potassium (950) | ~200x | Used in drinks, canned food, and toothpaste. Stable at high temperatures. |
| Sucralose (955) | ~600x | Derived from sugar. Common in beverages and baked goods. |
| Steviol Glycosides (960) | 150–300x | Natural extract from the Stevia plant. Popular in ‘natural’ sugar-free products. |
| Monk Fruit Extract (No number allocated) | 250–400x | Derived from Chinese fruit. |
| Neotame (961) | 7,000–13,000x | Modified aspartame. Used in canned fruit and candy. |
| Alitame (956) | ~2,000x | Made from amino acids. Rarely used in food. |
| Advantame (969) | ~20,000x | Made from aspartame and vanillin. |
| Cyclamate (952) | 30–50x | Often paired with saccharin, used in drinks and sweets. |
| Saccharin (954) | ~300x | First artificial sweetener, found in toothpaste, diet sodas, and medicine. |
| Aspartame-Acesulphame Salt (962) | ~350x | Blend of aspartame and Ace-K used for better taste. |
Multiple food and beverage companies have evolved to offer both traditional and sugar-free versions of their products. For example, Coca-Cola one of the world’s most iconic soft drinks has Coca-Cola Classic, sweetened with either cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Coke Zero Sugar, sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulphame potassium (Ace-K) and Diet Coke which uses aspartame with some variants use Sucralose (SPLENDA®) as well as other flavours.
Before a sweetener can hit supermarket shelves, it undergoes rigorous safety assessments. In Australia and New Zealand, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) evaluates all food additives based on hazard assessments (toxicology studies) & dietary exposure assessments (how much we typically consume). FSANZ uses international models like Codex Alimentarius to ensure safety. So yes, approved intense sweeteners are safe when consumed within regulatory guidelines.
Whilst we continue to eat sugar daily in various amounts some may have or fear potentially getting diabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are too high due to issues with insulin. People who fear getting diabetes wonder if they should avoid sugar altogether.
Information easily sourced from the Diabetes Australia website indicates that sugar can still be part of a diabetes-friendly diet in small amounts and as part of a meal. Artificial sweeteners aren’t necessary for managing diabetes, but they can help reduce energy (kilojoule) intake. It also advises that it is a common misconception that many substitutes have similar effects on blood sugar when used in small amounts.
Marketing sugar-free products in Australia has evolved into a multifaceted strategy aimed at meeting growing consumer demand for healthier options. Key initiatives include reformulating existing products to reduce sugar content, introducing new low- and no-sugar varieties, and promoting smaller pack sizes to encourage portion control. For instance, major beverage companies like Coca-Cola have committed to reducing sugar across their product lines, with some products achieving significant reductions in sugar content. Additionally, the Australian Beverages Council’s Sugar Reduction Pledge outlines goals to increase the availability of low- and no-sugar beverages, aiming to make them more accessible to consumers. These efforts are accompanied by targeted marketing campaigns designed to promote the benefits of choosing sugar-free options, thereby influencing purchasing behaviour and promoting healthier lifestyle choices.
Sugar and its substitutes are part of modern eating. Whether you prefer natural options like Stevia or want to stick with the classic cane sugar, moderation is key. For those managing weight or blood glucose, the choice of sweetener should align with personal taste, cost, and dietary needs—not just marketing claims.