The Center for Science in the Public Interest has downgraded its safety rating of sucralose, the artificial sweetener also known by the brand name Splenda, from “caution” to “avoid” in the group’s Chemical Cuisine glossary of food additives. The nonprofit food safety and nutrition watchdog group is citing a newly published study from the respected Ramazzini Institute, an independent laboratory based in Italy, which found that the chemical caused leukemia and related blood cancers in male mice.

This is the second time CSPI has downgraded its rating of the sweetener. In 2013 the group downgraded sucralose from “safe” to “caution” after the Ramazzini Institute presented the then-unpublished findings of the study at a conference. The study was finally published on January 29 in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. 

FengFit Foods does not contain any added sugars, preservatives, artificial sweeteners or animal products. Sucralose is found in some diet sodas, including Diet Pepsi, where it is paired with another artificial sweetener, acesulfame potassium, and Diet Mountain Dew... Read more.