SWEET PERCEPTIONS: RD Perceptions & the Science on Low- & No-Calorie Sweeteners
Virtual, Event
November 3, 2025
10:00 am – 11:00 am

Health professionals, including Dietitians, play a critical role in helping consumers navigate conflicting messages on nutrition and food safety so they can make informed dietary decisions.

Reports issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), conflicting social media messages and seemingly contradictory research and science communications have added to consumer confusion and professional skepticism about the safety of non-sugar sweeteners.

This webinar will provide health professionals with a review of the science on the safety and efficacy of low- and no-calorie sweeteners. Results will also be presented from two research projects that sought to understand health professionals’ perceptions, the drivers behind the varied perceptions of low- and no-calorie sweeteners and strategies to address these issues.

RDN and DTR attendees will have an opportunity to participate in an invitation-only dialogue with the experts on November 10 from 10:00-11:00 am ET. The aim is to delve more deeply into the science and communication around LNCSs, understand RD perceptions, and to address and clarify concerns. Andrew Brown PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will join the speakers for this dialogue to discuss how science is portrayed in the media and opportunities for improvement.

 

Speakers:

Richard D. Mattes, MPH, PhD, RD, Purdue University

Alissa Nolden, PhD, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Karima Kendall, PhD, RD, Calorie Control Council

Trish Zecca, MS, IAFNS Moderator

 

Learning Outcomes:

By viewing this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Understand and describe the current science on the safety and efficacy of LNCS.

2. Acknowledge health professionals’ perceptions of LNCS vary as reported in two recent surveys.

3. Articulate at least one possible cause of the differing perceptions of the safety and efficacy of LNCS and approaches to address them in clinical settings.

 

IAFNS is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). The Webinar: ‘SWEET PERCEPTIONS: RD Perceptions & the Science on Low & No Calorie Sweeteners,’ is approved to award 1 Continuing Professional Education Unit (CPEU) in accordance with the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program.

This event is sponsored by IAFNS Low- & No-Calorie Sweeteners Committee.