ISA Strengthens Scientific Exchange on Sweeteners in Latin America

The International Sweeteners Association (ISA), a Brussels-based organization dedicated to disseminating scientific information about low- and no-calorie sweeteners, is working to strengthen scientific and regulatory information exchange across Latin America. Founded more than four decades ago, ISA unites producers, manufacturers, and companies involved in the development and use of these ingredients in food and beverages, while also collaborating with specialists, researchers, and international regulatory bodies. During its annual meeting in Mexico City, ISA representatives highlighted their objective to foster evidence-based discussions on the safety, regulation, and use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners. "The conversation is moving very fast and sometimes without the proper context, which can create confusion among consumers," stated ISA Director General Laurent Oger in an interview. ISA actively monitors regulatory assessments, facilitates the exchange of scientific information, and disseminates research related to sweeteners and the products containing them. The association also benefits from an advisory scientific panel composed of experts in nutrition, toxicology, public health, eating behavior, and metabolic diseases. Laura Miranda, ISA's representative for Latin America, noted that the region is experiencing shifts in consumer habits and the development of new formulations within the food industry. "Latin America is responding to consumer demands and has made a great effort in innovation and reformulation to reduce sugar and calorie content," she explained. Miranda added that consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives that maintain flavor and balance in their diets. ISA representatives pointed out that low- and no-calorie sweeteners have undergone extensive safety evaluations by major international regulatory bodies, including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS). The association also highlighted recent research concerning the role of sweeteners.