Zucker und Zuckeraustauschstoffe im neuen Lebensmittelrecht

Abstract

AbstractSugars and Sugar Substitutes in the New Food Legislation. In chemistry, sugar substitutes are sugar‐like substances of sweet taste having a caloric value which do not involve an effect upon carbohydrate metabolism or at least do so to a lesser degree than ordinary sugar (saccharose). Examples of such substances are above all fructose and the polyalcohols, sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol. The new Act on Foods and Articles of Daily Use of August 15, 1974, has placed sugar substitutes except fructose on the same level as the so‐called “additives” which means that from the legal aspect, they are considered as additives and require special approval if they are to be added to foods.If sugar substitutes are not administered by the common enteral way of nutrition but parenterally, the question is raised whether in such a case they have to be considered as foods or drugs. It can be seen from the Foods Act of August 15, 1974, as well as from the Drugs Act in its current version that any type of enteral nutrition is subject to the provisions of food legislation. In contrast to this, parenteral nutrition is applied immediately to the circulatory system without involving the alimentary tract. For this reason it has to be considered as drug like solutions for infusion. The importance of sugar substitutes is explained by means of examples for various forms of the application.