Why does Ferndale use artificial sweeteners in some of their products?

Artificial sweeteners are a sugar substitute used to deliver long lasting non-caloric flavour. Artificial sweeteners such as acesulphame potassium and aspartame have been safely used for over 25 years. They are some of the most rigorously tested food additives and are proven to be safe. They have no kilojoules and no effect on blood glucose levels. They are not metabolised and are rapidly excreted in the urine.

Ferndale uses only those ingredients that have been approved by both national and international food authorities. These independent bodies are established to protect the health of consumers. Ferndale uses two ingredients to replace sugar, acesulphame potassium (ace-K) and aspartame, both of which have been given the approval of FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand). It is based on this approval that we are confident of its safety for use in our sugar free products.

What is Phenylalanine and why is there an advisory label displayed on some Ferndale packaging?

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found naturally in many foods including aspartame and is used as one of the basic building blocks by the body to build proteins for muscles etc.

A small percentage of individuals are born with a rare disorder where they are unable to metabolise phenylalanine adequately and need to control their intake of this amino acid from all food sources.

As a regulatory requirement food products containing Aspartame are labelled with the statement “Contains Phenylalanine” on the packaging to alert these consumers of the presence of Phenylalanine.

People with this disorder (phenylketonuria) are aware of it. All infants in Australia and New Zealand are screened at birth.

What are Polyol sweeteners?

Polyols are sugar alcohosl obtained by chemical reduction of glucose or fructose.
They also occur naturally in many fruits, eg: pears, plums, peaches and cherries.

They are about half as sweet as sucrose and have a mouth cooling effect.

Sugar alcohols such as, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, isomalt and xylitol have less available kilojoules than sugar, because they are more slowly absorbed by the body, and result in only a small rise in blood glucose levels.

There is however individual variation in the rate of absorption. In some individuals sugar alcohols are not absorbed, leading to diarrhoea, abdominal gas, flatulence and discomfort from abdominal distension.

More than 40 grams of Sorbitol can result in a laxative effect.

A packet of JOLS contains 27 grams of confectionery of which 44% is Sorbitol. Thus a packet of JOLS contains less than 12 grams of Sorbitol, which is less than one third of the amount needed to cause laxative effects.

However, as mentioned there are individual variation in tolerance and laxative effect sensitivity. Therefore products containing polyols are required by FSANZ to carry an advisory statement declaring excessive consumption of this food may have a laxative effect.