There is a longstanding hoax floating around the internet that low- and no- calorie sweeteners are cause for concern or even worse, not safe for consumption. The truth is low- and no- calorie sweeteners are among the most researched ingredients on the market. Through numerous studies, the U.S Food and Drug Administration, the European Food Safety Authority and the World Health Organization have all concluded that low- and no-calorie sweeteners are safe to consume.

Unfortunately, in today’s digital age many people believe, “I saw it on the internet, so it must be true.” But it’s always a good idea to consult sound, scientific sources before believing what you read in a meme or chain email.

People should have access to science-backed information about the food and beverages they consume and there are great resources like the International Food Information Council Foundation and the Calorie Control Council that can help people sift through click-bait headlines for what is true.

So, whether you are using these sweeteners to help you lose weight, or simply because you like the taste, you can rest easy knowing that the sweeteners in your food and drinks are safe to consume and backed by scientific research and government safety agencies worldwide.