Artificial Sweeteners in Food Products: Concentration Analysis, Label Practices, and Cumulative Intake Assessment in Croatia.

This study focuses on artificial sweeteners in food products: concentration analysis, label practices, and cumulative intake assessment in croatia.. The research employs high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques to address analytical challenges in the food safety field. Artificial sweeteners (ASs) are food additives used to impart sweetness to various food products. Common sweeteners used individually or in combination include acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, and neotame. While traditionally considered harmless, emerging research suggest potential health implications. This study aims to analyze commonly consumed food products in Croatia... Research Background and Significance Artificial sweeteners (ASs) are extensively used food additives designed to provide sweetness without the caloric content associated with sugar. Their widespread application in various food and beverage products has raised interest regarding their concentration levels, labeling accuracy, and potential health impacts due to cumulative intake. The study conducted in Croatia addresses these critical concerns by focusing on the quantification of commonly used artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, and neotame in food products. Given emerging evidence suggesting possible health implications linked to excessive consumption of ASs, accurate analytical methodologies are essential to ensure food safety, regulatory compliance, and consumer protection. This research contributes valuable data on the prevalence and concentration of ASs in Croatian food products and evaluates labeling practices, thereby offering an important reference point for food safety authorities and analytical laboratories. Experimental Design and Meth