Monitoring Population Exposure to Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners via Pooled Urine Analysis

Low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) are increasingly used as sugar substitutes in processed foods and sweetened beverages to reduce energy intake while maintaining taste. Given that poor diet remains a major contributor to non-communicable diseases, LNCS offer a strategy to lower caloric intake. However, ongoing concerns about their health effects highlight the need for a clearer understanding of LNCS exposure patterns within vulnerable groups of the population. Data on LNCS exposure and consumption trends, especially in the younger population, remain limited. Pooled urine samples were analyzed for four LNCS (acesulfame, sucralose, cyclamate, and saccharin) using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Urinary concentrations were determined for various demographics (sex, age, and remoteness) to identify patterns of exposure, with focus on the younger population (< 5 years). Measured concentrations across all pools (n = 135) containing 3375 individuals ranged from 0.1 to 40 mg/L for acesulfame, 0.04-30 mg/L for saccharin, 0.01-30 mg/L for cyclamate, and 0.01-1.3 mg/L for sucralose. Saccharin showed significantly higher concentrations among children and adolescents (0-15 years) compared to adults (15-60 years). No significant differences were observed between sexes or age groups for acesulfame, cyclamate, and sucralose. LNCS concentrations did not vary significantly by remoteness. Esti-mated average daily saccharin intake was 600 μg/kgbw/day for children aged 0-5 years, representing 12% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI), compared to 25 μg/kgbw/day (0.5% of ADI) in adults. In the case of saccharin, the highest concentrations were observed in young children, which may represent a higher risk of potential adverse health outcomes. Average urinary concentrations of all LNCS were determined, serving as indicators of average population intake.