Which sweetener, first used in 1879, has received FDA approval for use in fruit juice beverages?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Saccharin

Explanation:

• Saccharin was the first artificial sweetener, discovered in 1879 by Constantin Fahlberg.
• It is about 300–400 times sweeter than sugar but has no calories.
• The U.S. FDA has approved saccharin for use in food and beverages, including fruit juice beverages.
• Once controversial due to health concerns, later studies proved it safe at regulated levels.
• It is still widely used in diet drinks, sugar-free foods, and pharmaceuticals.

Information Booster:

• Saccharin is a non-nutritive sweetener, meaning it adds sweetness without calories.
• It was heavily used during World War I and II when sugar was rationed.
• In 1977, the FDA considered banning it due to cancer studies in rats, but it remained legal with warning labels.
• By 2000, further research confirmed its safety for human use.
• It is marketed under brands like Sweet'N Low.

Additional Knowledge:

• Aspartame (Option A): Discovered in 1965; used in diet sodas and sugar-free products; not heat-stable.
• Sucralose (Option B): Discovered in 1976; 600 times sweeter than sugar; brand name Splenda.
• Neotame (Option D): Approved in 2002; 7,000–13,000 times sweeter than sugar; used in processed foods and beverages.