Sucralose approved in USA

Sucralose, the new low calorie sweetener from Tate & Lyle, has today, 1 April 1998 been approved for use in the United States of America by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA granted approval for the use of sucralose in 15 food and beverage categories and this constitutes the broadest initial approval ever given to a low calorie sweetener.


The decision by the FDA gives sucralose access to the largest sweetener market in the world, and brings to 27 the number of countries where the product can be used. Sucralose under an exclusive license agreement will be marketed in the USA by Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Specialty Products Company.


"We are delighted with this news" said Tate & Lyle Chairman Sir Neil Shaw. "The United States approval provides the foundation for the expansion of sucralose as a global business. This will have no material effect on Tate & Lyle's results in the short-term, but it affords us the opportunity to enhance the longer term performance of the Group".


Sucralose, the only low calorie sweetener to be made from sugar, is attractive to food and drink manufacturers because of its excellent taste characteristics. Unlike some other leading sweeteners, the sugar-like taste of sucralose remains unchanged in foods and beverages that are stored for extended periods, or are subjected to high temperature processing.


Sucralose, also known as Splenda® brand sweetener, is already used in a wide variety of products around the world including soft drinks, confectionery, yoghurt, jam and sauces.


Austin Maguire, Divisional Managing Director for Tate & Lyle Speciality Sweeteners said

"We have been steadily building our business since 1990 when the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) gave sucralose its safety endorsement. At this point we began the process of seeking approvals from national regulatory authorities. We have always considered the United States an important milestone, and having reached it, we are now in a position to intensify our global market development efforts. This will include securing approval in the European Union, the next key market for sucralose."


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