Artificial sweeteners in food and beverage products at school

Bibliographic Data

ID15097679
AuthorsRebecca M Schermbeck (University of Illinois Chicago, corresponding author), Jason Leider (0000-0002-5435-8898, University of Illinois Chicago), Julien Leider, Elizabeth Piekarz-Porter (0000-0001-8161-3738, Roosevelt University), Jamie F Chriqui (0000-0003-2538-0276, Roosevelt University)
Year2019
Volume22
Issue11
Pages1941-1950
Publication date2019-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s136898001800143x
PMID30198458
OpenAlexW2891156702
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited47

Objective Experts recommend that products containing artificial sweeteners are not marketed to children or sold at schools. The present study aimed to provide a baseline assessment of the extent to which state laws and local school district wellness policies (LWP) address restrictions on the use of artificial sweeteners in competitive foods and beverages (CF&B) sold at schools. Design A descriptive, cross-sectional study of policies in place for the 2014–15 school year. Setting Data were collected on laws in all fifty states and Washington, DC. LWP were compiled for 496/518 school food authorities (SFA) for which data were collected as part of the US Department of Agriculture’s School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study. Subjects State laws and LWP respectively were coded on a 0–3 ordinal scale for the strength of their restrictions on artificial sweeteners in CF&B sold in each of five CF&B venues, separately by grade level. Prevalence of state laws and LWP for SFA nationwide was computed. Results Thirteen states addressed the use of artificial sweeteners. Six states addressed the use of artificial sweeteners in both CF&B. District-level artificial sweetener policies were most frequently addressed for beverages in elementary schools’ vending machines. District policies also were more likely to address artificial sweeteners in states with laws addressing artificial sweeteners. Conclusions Most state laws and LWP do not address artificial sweeteners in CF&B. This is not surprising given the Food and Drug Administration has approved eight artificial sweeteners for consumption and the Smart Snacks regulation does not limit artificial sweeteners for CF&B

Agricultural science · Artificial Sweetener · Business · Environmental health · Chemistry · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Environmental Science · Mathematics · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Food Science

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