Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40218868›Full record

ArticleNutrients2025

Artificial Sweeteners in Food Products: Concentration Analysis, Label Practices, and Cumulative Intake Assessment in Croatia.

Zlatka Knezovic, Branka Jurcevic Zidar, Ajka Pribisalic, Sanja Luetic, Katarina Jurcic, Nina Knezovic, Davorka Sutlovic

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Nutrients · 2026
    Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zlatka KnezovicTeaching Institute for Public Health, Split-Dalmatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia.ORCID 0000-0001-8425-8321
Branka Jurcevic ZidarTeaching Institute for Public Health, Split-Dalmatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia.ORCID 0000-0001-5947-7266
Ajka PribisalicDepartment of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia.ORCID 0000-0002-3725-3728
Sanja LueticTeaching Institute for Public Health, Split-Dalmatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia.ORCID 0009-0002-5173-0882
Katarina JurcicTeaching Institute for Public Health, Split-Dalmatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia.
Nina KnezovicTeaching Institute for Public Health, Split-Dalmatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia.ORCID 0009-0005-3728-3942
Davorka SutlovicDepartment of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia.ORCID 0000-0002-9899-5119

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesArtificial sweeteners (ASs) are food additives used to impart sweetness to various food products. Common sweeteners used individually or in combination include acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, and neotame. While traditionally considered harmless, emerging research suggest potential health implications. This study aims to analyze commonly consumed food products in Croatia for ASs presence, quantify four ASs, and estimate daily intake of ASs. Additionally, product labeling was assessed for compliance with Regulation 1169/2011 on food information to consumers.

methodsThis study assessed the presence of acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate, and saccharin dihydrate in 121 frequently consumed food products from the Croatian market using a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Based on obtained concentrations, data from a parallel consumption study, and existing literature on acceptable daily intake (ADI), we assessed exposure to ASs.

resultsASs were found in a substantial proportion of analyzed products, with multiple sweeteners often present in a single product. Specifically, ASs were detected in 74% of carbonated drinks, 54% of fruit juices, 86% of energy drinks, 70% of high-protein milk products, and 66% of chewing gums. Hypothetical consumption scenarios demonstrated that children, due to their low body mass, are at the highest risk of exceeding ADI values.

conclusionsThe widespread presence of ASs in food products raises concerns about excessive intake, particularly among children who frequently consume soft drinks, instant beverages, and protein drinks. These findings highlight the need for further research into cumulative ASs exposure and its potential health effects, as well as the importance of public health strategies to regulate ASs consumption.

Indexed as

Food AnalysisFood LabelingSweetening AgentsAspartameCarbonated BeveragesChromatography, High Pressure LiquidCroatiaCyclamatesFruit and Vegetable JuicesHumansSaccharinThiazinesacetosulfameAspartameCyclamatesSaccharinSweetening AgentsThiazinesacceptable daily intakeartificial sweetenerscumulative consumptionfoods analysispublic health

Identifiers

PMID40218868
PMCPMC11990090

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.