Statement on “The Artificial Sweetener Erythritol and Cardiovascular Event Risk”

A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine offered preliminary findings linking higher levels of erythritol in blood with increased risk of cardiovascular events.

The Calorie Control Council has reviewed the study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic and has cautioned that these results should not be extrapolated to the general population. The full statement from the Calorie Control Council can be found here.

The results of the most recent study are contrary to the years of research indicating reduced-calorie sweeteners like erythritol are safe, and it’s important that the results of this study are not taken out of context. The study consists of several smaller studies using varying methodologies, with their own inherent flaws to draw correlations that do not establish causality, do not represent real-world erythritol consumption, and cannot be extrapolated to the general public (caloriecontrol.org).

First approved in Japan in 1990, erythritol is approved for use in foods in more than 50 countries, including Canada, the US, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and the European Union. The FDA affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) on erythritol in 2001. Its safety as a food additive under its intended use has been substantiated by human and animal safety studies, including short- and long-term feeding, multi-generation reproduction and teratology.

Apura Ingredients is aligned with the Calorie Control Council in their response. Consumer health and wellness are a vital part of our company mission, and we look forward to further studies.