Rafael Urrialde de Andrés
Professor at the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the Complutense University of Madrid and at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the San Pablo-CEU University, and member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Society of Nutrition
All scientific data, whether from studies, reviews or meta-analyses, must be reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in this case as part of its re-evaluation programme for additives (Regulation 257/2010), which includes the 19 sweeteners authorised to date in the European Union. All studies, whether negative, neutral or positive, must be taken into account in order to adopt the appropriate decisions and positions, according to scientific validity. EFSA is the body that has to approve the scientific evidence and issue its scientific positions on food, nutrition and diet (more than 9,000 since it was created); in the case of sweeteners, it has not changed its positions and data to date, even in the totally exhaustive re-evaluations of sweeteners that it has carried out.
On the other hand, in the European Union, polyols, such as erythritol, xylitol and others, cannot be used, for example, in any type of beverage due to conditions of approval for use in EU legislation (Regulation 1333/2008). In turn, when they are used in other foods, according to Regulation 1169/2011 on food information provided to the consumer, if they exceed 10 % of the ingredient content, the following legend must appear on the label: "excessive consumption may cause laxative effects".
Erythritol also has two health claims approved and authorised by both EFSA and the EU authorities through Regulation 432/2012.
Polyols occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables, as well as in other plants, such as birch and its well-known birch sugar (xylitol).
This study, although the n=8 of the pilot study is very small, at least in the title of the paper it clearly states that its conclusions cannot be extrapolated to other sweeteners beyond erythritol. It should also be useful, even if it is based on an observational study, to be able to go deeper, especially with clinical trials of a sufficiently large size and with use below the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake). This implies long-term studies.