At a time of rising obesity and non-communicable diseases, EU policy-makers have committed to address this shared challenge. The European Commission has made healthier diets one of the priorities of this mandate, and different public health and food policies aiming to achieve healthier food environments are being developed within the framework of the Farm to Fork Strategy.

These efforts are all the more urgent in the current reality of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is growing evidence that chronic health conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, are associated with increased risk and severity of COVID-19 outcomes.

In the pursuit of healthier food environments for EU citizens, as part of an inclusive whole-of-society approach, industry has been called upon to contribute to a sustainable food system, for example by reformulating products and providing healthier options. In this context, low or no calorie sweeteners are seen as a useful tool to help manufacturers achieve products with less sugar and fewer calories, while still being palatable to consumers.