By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Consumer Exposed.

Most people think a pink packet of Sweet ’n Low or a brown sachet of Sugar in the Raw is a healthier way to sweeten coffee. The truth is many of today’s “sugar substitutes” are packed with corn‑derived fillers, sugar alcohols, or even actual sugar that can spike blood glucose just as much as regular table sugar. A recent Consumer Exposed investigation breaks down eight popular brands, revealing which products truly cut calories and which simply masquerade as alternatives. From FDA‑mandated warnings on saccharin to new European limits on erythritol, the report offers concrete label checks that can help shoppers avoid hidden carbs and potential health risks.

When “Sugar‑Free” Still Means Sugar

The investigation opens with Sugar in the Raw, a brand that markets brown crystals as a natural alternative. The ingredient list is a single line: Turbinado Cane Sugar. Each packet delivers about 5 grams of sugar and roughly 20 calories—more than a standard white‑sugar packet. The brown hue, caused by trace molasses, creates a visual cue of wholesomeness, but the metabolic impact is identical to refined sugar. The FDA classifies it as added sugar, and while the label is transparent, its placement next to true substitutes misleads consumers seeking lower‑calorie options.

Legacy Sweeteners Hiding Modern Fillers

Sweet ’n Low, the pink staple of American diners since the 1960s, no longer relies on saccharin as its primary ingredient. The current label lists dextrose—a pure glucose source with a glycemic index of 100—as the first ingredient, followed by a small amount of saccharin. From 1977 to 2000, every packet bore a federal warning: “Use of this product may be hazardous to your health.” Although the warning was removed, a 2022 Cell study found that low‑dose saccharin impaired glucose tolerance and altered gut bacteria in healthy adults, raising questions about its long‑term metabolic safety.

“Healthier adults were given saccharin at doses below the established safety limit; after two weeks, they showed significantly impaired glucose tolerance and measurable changes in gut bacteria,” the report notes.

Store Brands: The Cheap Copycat Problem

Private‑label sweeteners from Walmart, Safeway, and Costco mirror the formulas of name‑brand products. Great Value’s No‑Calorie Stevia lists erythritol, rebiana, stevia leaf extract, and natural flavors—essentially the same blend as Truvia. Likewise, Costco’s Kirkland Signature sucralose packets contain dextrose, maltodextrin, and sucralose, identical to Splenda. Because these bulk packages are often consumed in larger quantities, the cumulative intake of corn‑derived fillers and controversial sweeteners can become significant, especially for heavy users who may consume five packets a day across coffee, oatmeal, and baking.

Erythritol: The Sweetener Under Scrutiny

Swerve and Lakanto Classic both rely heavily on erythritol, a sugar alcohol produced by fermenting corn‑derived glucose. A February 2023 Cleveland Clinic study published in Nature Medicine showed that a single drink caused blood erythritol levels to rise a thousand‑fold and remain elevated for over two days. A 2024 follow‑up linked high erythritol concentrations to increased platelet clumping, a potential cardiovascular risk. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set an acceptable daily intake of 0.5 g per kilogram of body weight—about 34 g for a 150‑pound adult. One cup‑for‑cup baking recipe using Swerve can easily exceed that limit, meaning everyday keto bakers may be unknowingly surpassing safety thresholds.

Monk Fruit and Aspartame: Mixed Signals

Lakanto Classic markets monk fruit as its star ingredient, yet the label lists erythritol first, indicating it supplies 60‑70 % of the sweetness. Consumers pay a premium for monk fruit without realizing they are buying an erythritol‑dominant product subject to the same cardiovascular concerns.

Equal’s blue packet follows the same pattern, listing dextrose and maltodextrin before aspartame and acesulfame potassium. On July 14, 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B), based on limited evidence linking it to liver cancer. While WHO reaffirmed a tolerable daily intake of 0‑40 mg per kilogram of body weight, the presence of multiple corn‑derived fillers and controversial sweeteners in a single packet raises doubts about the overall health claim of “zero‑calorie” products.

What to Look for on the Label

Consumers can protect themselves by checking the order of ingredients. FDA rules require ingredients to be listed in descending weight; the first ingredient makes up the bulk of the product. If dextrose, maltodextrin, or erythritol appear first, the packet is likely delivering more calories and a higher glycemic impact than the marketing suggests. Additionally, be wary of products that hide the sweetener behind a brand name while the filler dominates the composition.

Choosing truly low‑calorie alternatives means seeking products where the sweetening agent—stevia leaf extract, monk fruit extract, or pure erythritol—appears as the primary ingredient. When in doubt, consider buying single‑ingredient extracts, which eliminate hidden fillers entirely.

By scrutinizing ingredient lists and staying informed about emerging research, shoppers can avoid the hidden sugars and potential health risks lurking in everyday sweetener packets.

The full episode of Consumer Exposed is available on OBBM Network TV.