It can feel like a bit of a minefield when it comes to choosing the right foods and drinks for our little ones. Many of us have turned to sugar-free options thinking they’re a better choice – but recently there’s been new advice that’s left some parents feeling unsure.
The UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recently advised that children under 5 shouldn’t be given drinks containing non-sugar sweeteners (also known as NSS or, simply, sweeteners to parents).
If that sounds confusing – especially after years of advice to reduce sugar – you’re definitely not alone. Here’s a closer look at what this advice really means, and what to look out for when shopping.
What’s the new guidance?
SACN are a group of independent experts who advise the UK government on nutrition, and their recommendations are based on thorough reviews of the latest scientific evidence.
For children under 5, they now advise:
- Not offering drinks sweetened with either sugar or non-sugar sweeteners
- Giving them unsweetened foods (not sweetened with either sugar or non-sugar sweeteners)
For older children and adults, the advice is a little different: non-sugar sweeteners may be helpful in cutting down on sugar intakes in the short term – but the goal is still to reduce both over time.
So, what exactly are non-sugar sweeteners?
Non-sugar sweeteners are used to make foods and drinks taste sweet without using sugar. You’ll often find them in products labelled “sugar-free”, “no added sugar”, “toothkind”, “diet” and “zero”.
Non-sugar sweeteners are sometimes called ‘artificial sweeteners’, and the terms are often used interchangeably in the media. You may also see other names for non-sugar sweeteners including high-intensity sweeteners, low-or no-calorie sweeteners, non-nutritive sweeteners and sugar-substitutes.
For this blog, I use the term non-sugar sweeteners throughout to avoid any confusion.
Non-sugar sweeteners are commonly found in:
- Squash and fizzy drinks
- Sugar-free yoghurts
- Sugar-free jelly
Some common non-sugar sweeteners in the UK you might spot on a label include:
- Aspartame (E951)
- Steviol glycosides (‘stevia’) (E960)
- Sucralose (E955)
- Acesulfame K (E950)
- Saccharin (E954)
- Cyclamate (E952)
E numbers and young children
As you can see, each of the sweeteners is given an “E number”. “E Numbers” are codes assigned to food additives that are approved for use within the European Union and other regions. These additives serve various purposes, such as enhancing flavour, colour, texture, or sweetening foods. The “E” stands for Europe, and the numbers correspond to specific substances. So E951 is just another name for aspartame, for example.
Why are non-sugar sweeteners a concern for little ones?
These new recommendations have been set because there are still important questions about how non-sugar sweeteners might affect health in the long term – especially when it comes to gut health, appetite regulation and even children’s future food preferences. We know that early exposure to certain foods can shape taste habits and dietary patterns in later life. Read about the importance of nutrition during the first 1000 days of life in my blog.
Although non-sugar sweeteners used in the UK and are considered safe based on available research, the majority of that research has been done on adults, not children.
That means we’re still learning about how sweeteners might affect young children – particularly if they’re consuming them regularly. The recommendations are therefore taking a precautionary approach.
SACN have also previously expressed that water and milk should constitute the majority of drinks for children aged 1 to 5 and there is concern that sweetened drinks have the potential to displace such healthier options.
What about honey and maple syrup?
Sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and coconut sugar are often thought of as more natural. However, it’s worth remembering that these are still forms of free sugar (any sugars added to food or drinks), and it’s recommended to keep them to a minimum for babies and toddlers.
If you’re curious about these kinds of alternatives I’ve covered them in more detail here:
You can learn more about sugar recommendations for babies and children here:
Why sugary drinks should be limited and why milk and water are the best choices
As previously mentioned, SACN recommend the majority of drinks of children aged 1 to 5 should be from water and milk. Sugary drinks – like squash, fizzy drinks and fruit juice (read more about fruit juice on my blog) aren’t recommended, as they can increase the risk of tooth decay. The British Dietetic Association explains: ‘High sugar intakes often lead to tooth decay. It is important to avoid frequent sugary drinks and snacks for your teeth and your overall health’.
Tooth decay happens when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acid, which gradually wears away tooth enamel. It’s not just about how much sugar a child consumes, but how often – frequent sips throughout the day are more harmful than having sugary drinks all at once.
Whilst sweeteners are often considered less damaging to teeth (as they may help lower intakes of free sugars and therefore tooth decay), SACN noted in their new report that the evidence around non-sugar sweeteners and dental health was limited. They did point out that drinks which contain acids (for example, phosphoric, citric, carbonic), whether they contain free sugars or non-sugar sweeteners, can increase the risk of dental erosion. This could include sugar-sweetened and sugar-free carbonated soft drinks, squashes and fruit juices.
Milk and water are the best drink options and are tooth friendly and should be offered regularly throughout the day. Milk contains calcium and phosphate minerals which help strengthen teeth after acid attacks. Milk also contains other nutrients such as vitamin D and protein.
If you are offering plant-based milk alternatives (these may be given from 12 months onwards as part of a healthy balanced diet) choose the unsweetened versions. Some use added free sugars to ‘enhance’ the taste, which can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Water is an ideal drink for all, offering a fantastic source of hydration and is readily available in the UK.
Read more about children’s dental health:
If your little one isn’t a big fan of drinking water, this blog offers tips for how to keep your child hydrated:
And for a full guide on drinks for babies and toddlers:
Final thoughts
What this new guidance really comes down to is keeping things simple for little ones. For babies and young children, water and milk are the best go-to drinks, and unsweetened foods are encouraged whenever possible.
That doesn’t mean you need to worry if your little one occasionally has something with sweeteners. It’s all about the bigger picture – and creating a balanced, healthy approach to food and drink over time.
References for this blog:
British Dietetic Association (2022). Sugar and Your Health. Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/sugar.html#:~:text=High%20sugar%20intakes%20often%20lead,have%20these%20with%20a%20meal. (accessed 24/04/2025).
European Commission. (2022). Commission Directive 2006/125/EC on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32006L0125 (accessed 10/04/2025).
NHS Choices. (2024). What to feed young children (aged 1 to 5 years). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/weaning/what-to-feed-young-children/ (accessed 10/04/2025).
NHS UK (2023). Are sweeteners safe? Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/are-sweeteners-safe/ (accessed 10/04/2025).
NHS UK (2023). Water, Drinks and Hydration. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/water-drinks-nutrition/#:~:text=The%20best%20drinks%20to%20give,squash%20and%20juice%20drinks%20completely. (accessed 24/04/2025)
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). (2023). Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/feeding-young-children-aged-1-to-5-years (accessed 10/04/2025).
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). (2025). Statement on the WHO Guidance on Non-Sugar Sweeteners. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ea97b3ea9f8afd8105627d/sacn-position-statement-on-non-sugar-sweeteners.pdf(accessed 10/04/2025).
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Guideline: Use of non-sugar sweeteners. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240073616 (accessed 10/04/2025).