Sucralose

Sucralose (CAS 56038-13-2), also marketed as Splenda and listed as E955 in the EU, is a high-intensity chlorinated sugar derivative used as a non-caloric sweetener.

Where is Sucralose used?

• Food and beverage: sugar replacement in low-calorie soft drinks, dairy products, baked goods and confectionery requiring heat stability
• Tabletop sweeteners: active sweetening agent in blends and single-serve sachets, bulked with maltodextrin or dextrose
• Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical: bitterness masking in oral syrups, chewable tablets and dietary supplements
• Personal care: flavoring and mild humectant in toothpastes and mouthwashes
• It delivers approximately 600 times the sweetness of sucrose with no caloric contribution.
• Suitable for low-pH beverage formulas without stability concerns.

Formulation notes

• Heating above 120 °C for prolonged periods leads to gradual and, with increasing temperature, progressive decomposition and dechlorination.

Typical specification

• Sucralose-6-acetate is a minor impurity that can form during production, and its levels are strictly controlled by manufacturing processes and limited by regulatory specifications set for sucralose.
• Powder is supplied with an assay range of 98.0–102.0%.
• Available in fine powder and granular forms.
• Micronised particles are available for applications requiring fine particle size, such as sugar-free gum.

Regulatory status

• The acceptable daily intake (ADI) is 15 mg per kg body weight.
• In 2026 EFSA re-confirmed the safety of sucralose for its current uses and maintained the ADI at 15 mg/kg body weight.
• Sucralose was evaluated and approved by JECFA in 1990.

Frequently asked questions about Sucralose

Is sucralose stable at high temperatures for food processing and baking?

EFSA could not conclude on the requested extension of the authorization to additional fine bakery wares due to uncertainties about thermal stability.

How does sucralose interact with other sweeteners in beverage formulations?

Sucralose blends well with other sweeteners in beverages. Combined with other sweeteners, it increases sweetening power exponentially through a synergistic effect, allowing the required amount to be reduced.

What are the solubility characteristics of sucralose?

Sucralose is highly soluble in water, ethyl alcohol, and methyl alcohol, and slightly soluble in ethyl acetate.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.