Sucralose

Sucralose (C₁₂H₁₉Cl₃O₈) is an artificial sweeter and a table sugar substitute made by the chlorination of table sugar. As the compound is not metabolized during digestion it is not a source of calories and does not impact blood glucose levels. It was discovered in 1976 when a scientist at a British college misheard instructions about testing a substance. Instead, he tasted it, realizing that it was highly sweet. It was introduced in the US in 1999 and is one of the most popular sweeteners in the country.

Sucralose is about 320 to 1,000 times sweeter than table sugar and is often mixed with a filler to reduce its intensity. Splenda is a granular sweetener that uses sucralose as its sweetening agent, but mostly contains dextrose and maltodextrin. Liquid forms of sucralose are often diluted with water and may also contain potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, succinic acid, and citric acid as preservatives.