Aspartame (e.g. NutraSweet and Equal) also has been targeted for safety concerns, especially on the Web where the attacks have achieved the status of an urban legend. However, the FDA is adamant that more than 200 studies has confirmed that aspartame is safe for everyone except those with a rare disease called phenylketonuria; these conclusions are seconded by the major medical associations. Aspartame was approved in 1981 for use; it is less sweet than saccharin at 180 times as sweet as sugar. It is used as a table sweetener, but can not be used in baking as it does degrade in heat. Its major advantage is the lack of an aftertaste.
Be careful when using Equal that you know which type of Equal you're using. One packet of Equal is roughly equivalent to 2 teaspoons of sugar; however the manufacturer also makes a product called "Equal Spoonful" which measures teaspoon for teaspoon like sugar. This product has a starch added for bulk.
Sucralose (e.g. Splenda) is the newest commercial sweetener, approved in 1998, and has gained rapidly in popularity. It is the only low calorie sweetener made from actual sugar (sucrose) which has been molecularly modified to be 600 times sweeter than regular sugar. Further, the body does not recognize it as sugar, so it cannot be digested and therefore it contributes no calories. When packaged, like "Equal Spoonful" it does have starch added so it can actually be measured in teaspoons. Like aspartame, it can resist heat, and many professional chefs now use sucralose as their preferred low calorie baking sweetener.
