Intake of saccharin and cyclamate from Finnish foods between 1979 and 1985

The dietary intake of saccharin and cyclamate was investigated during the period 1979-1985 in order to find out about the use as sweeteners in the food industry and hospitals and to obtain intake data for the toxicological evaluation of sweeteners in the Finnish diet. Eighty-nine samples of desserts served in 85 hospitals were analysed in 1983. Other samples investigated were artificially sweetened commercial foods available in Finland, such as soft drinks, sweets and jellies. The intake evaluation was carried out with reference to the acceptable daily intake (ADI), with commercial portions for a child being 20 kg and for an adult 60 kg. The most important foods with regard to the intake of saccharin and cyclamate were soft drinks. In 1979, 1982 and 1985, soft drinks contributed 128%, 93%, and 51%, respectively, of the ADI of artificial sweeteners for children and 42%, 31%, and 17% for adults. Artificially sweetened desserts served in hospitals contributed to 35% of the ADI for children and 11% for adults.