FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               Contact: Eric Mittenthal (mittenthal@ific.org)

Jania Matthews (matthews@ific.org)

                Phone:   (202) 296-6540

Sucralose, Low-Calorie Sweeteners Can Aid Weight Management Efforts

American Academy of Physician Assistants and International Food Information Council Foundation
Announce New Joint Informational Resource on Low-Calorie Sweetener

(Washington, D.C., January 25, 2010) —To help in providing science-based information on nutrition and weight management for consumers and health professionals, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the International Food Information Council Foundation collaborated on a new informational “e-brochure,” Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose. 

With obesity rates among Americans at an all-time high, it is more important than ever to provide simple and useful information about weight management options to consumers. For example, many people think they have to give up sweets in order to lose weight. However, low-calorie sweeteners can play a role in a weight loss program by providing sweet options that do not contribute extra calories. They also offer a way for people with diabetes to decrease their carbohydrate intake. The no-calorie sweetener sucralose is available in tabletop packet form, as well as in many foods and beverage products.

“It’s critical that overweight populations and people with diabetes have access to food options that will promote weight loss without leaving them feeling deprived, ” said Daniel O’Donoghue, PA-C, PhD, Chair of AAPA’s Clinical and Scientific Affairs Council. “Being able to point patients to an informative discussion of a readily-available product that will help them reach their weight loss goals as part of a healthy life style is an easy win for health care providers.”

Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose has been one of the most popular resources offered by the International Food Information Council Foundation for the last five years. This latest revision provides clear discussion on such issues as low-calorie sweetener safety, use by pregnant women and children, and benefits for people with diabetes and dental health. It also includes tips on how to incorporate sucralose into cooking and baking.

“This e-brochure will answer common questions consumers have about low-calorie sweeteners, as well as explain how low-calorie sweeteners can be beneficial as part of a weight loss program,” says Lindsey Loving, Senior Director of Food Ingredient Communications at the International Food Information Council Foundation. “This is a great resource for consumers who may have heard about the benefits of low-calorie sweeteners for weight management and want more information.”

Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose is available through both the AAPA and International Food Information Council Foundation Web sites:

·         AAPA

·         International Food Information Council Foundation

For additional information on Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose, or to schedule an interview, please call the International Food Information Council Foundation Media Team at
202-296-6540.

AAPA is the only national organization to represent physician assistants in all medical and surgical specialties. Physician assistants are licensed health professionals and valued members of a health care team that includes a supervising physician. Founded in 1968, the Academy works to promote quality, cost-effective health care and the professional and personal growth of PAs. For more information about the Academy and the PA profession, visit www.aapa.org.

The International Food Information Council Foundation’s mission is to effectively communicate science-based information on health, nutrition, and food safety for the public good.  Additional information on the Foundation is available on the “About” section of our Web site.  For interviews with experts or other questions please, call (202)296-6540.

The International Food Information Council Foundation also has several other resources on low-calorie sweeteners available on our Web site, including:

Facts About Low-Calorie Sweeteners

http://www.foodinsight.org/Resources/Detail.aspx?topic=Facts_about_Low_Calorie_Sweeteners

Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose

http://www.foodinsight.org/Resources/Detail.aspx?topic=Everything_You_Need_to_Know_About_Sucralose

Everything You Need to Know About Aspartame

http://www.foodinsight.org/Resources/Detail.aspx?topic=Everything_You_Need_to_Know_About_Aspartame

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