Sweetener Ingredients

We've indexed 61 sweetener ingredients. Of those, 50 confirmed vegan, 1 non-vegan, 10 that depend on the source. Use this hub to look up any sweetener on a label and find vegan alternatives where needed.

What are sweetener ingredients?

Sweeteners replace or supplement sugar in foods and drinks. They range from natural plant extracts (stevia, monk fruit) to chemically synthesized compounds (aspartame, sucralose). Most are vegan, but a few — like refined cane sugar in some regions — are processed with animal-derived bone char.

Sweetener at a glance

Non-vegan sweetener ingredients to avoid

Commonly found in

Diet sodasBaked goodsTabletop sweetenersChewing gumToothpasteCandiesProtein powdersHard candiesProtein barsSugar-free drinksSugar-free gumSugar-free yogurts

All sweetener ingredients (61)

Acesulfame K

Vegan

A high-intensity artificial sweetener.

Acesulfame-K (E950)

Vegan

A calorie-free artificial sweetener, also known as Ace-K, that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is often blended with other sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame to create a more sugar-like taste.

Advantame

Vegan

An ultra-high-potency artificial sweetener, approximately 20,000 times sweeter than sucrose.

Advantame

Vegan

An artificial sweetener 20,000 times sweeter than sugar.

Agave Nectar

Vegan

A commercially produced sweetener derived from several species of the agave plant, popular as a honey substitute.

Allulose

Vegan

A 'rare sugar' that tastes like regular sugar but has almost zero calories and does not spike blood glucose.

Aspartame

Vegan

A low-calorie sweetener consisting of two amino acids.

Aspartame (E951)

Check the Label

An artificial, low-calorie sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is widely used in diet foods and beverages like sodas and chewing gum.

Aspartame-Acesulfame Salt

Vegan

A compound sweetener made by reacting aspartame and acesulfame potassium to create a very stable, sugar-like taste.

Barley Malt Syrup

Vegan

A dark, unrefined sweetener made from sprouted barley.

Brown Rice Syrup

Vegan

A vegan sweetener produced by breaking down rice starch with enzymes.

Brown Sugar

Check the Label

A sucrose product that contains molasses, giving it a characteristic brown color, moist texture, and distinct flavor. It is commonly produced by adding molasses back to refined white sugar.

Confectioner's Sugar

Check the Label

Finely pulverized granulated sugar mixed with a small amount of an anti-caking agent, typically cornstarch. Its fine texture allows it to dissolve easily, making it ideal for icings and frostings.

D-Xylose

Vegan

A sugar isolated from wood, used as a diabetic sweetener and in medical tests.

Date Syrup

Vegan

A thick, caramel-like syrup made from pureed dates.

Dextrose

Vegan

A simple sugar chemically identical to glucose, typically derived from corn.

E950 (Acesulfame K)

Vegan

An artificial zero-calorie sweetener often used with other sweeteners to improve taste.

E951 (Aspartame)

Vegan

One of the most famous artificial sweeteners, consisting of two amino acids.

E952 (Cyclamic Acid)

Vegan

An artificial sweetener often used as the sodium or calcium salt.

Erythritol

Vegan

A sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener, highly popular in keto and diabetic baking.

Erythritol

Vegan

A sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener.

Fructose

Vegan

A simple ketonic monosaccharide found in many plants, often called fruit sugar.

Glucose

Vegan

A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.

Glucose Syrup

Vegan

A liquid sweetening agent made from the hydrolysis of starch.

Glycerin

Check the Label

A sweet, syrupy, colorless liquid used to retain moisture in foods and cosmetics, preventing them from drying out.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

Vegan

A highly processed sweetener made from corn starch, used as a cheaper alternative to sucrose in the US.

Honey

Not Vegan

A sweet, viscous food substance made by bees and some related insects.

Invert Sugar

Check the Label

A mixture of glucose and fructose obtained by splitting sucrose. It helps baked goods retain moisture and prevents crystallization.

Isomalt

Vegan

A bulk sweetener.

Isomalt

Vegan

A sugar substitute known for its excellent sugar-like physical properties, heavily used in sugar art and sugar-free hard candies.

Isomalt

Vegan

A sugar substitute used in sugar-free hard candies and for sugar sculpting.

Isomaltulose

Vegan

A slow-release carbohydrate that provides steady energy without spiking blood sugar.

Levulose

Vegan

Another name for fructose (fruit sugar).

Maltitol

Vegan

A sugar alcohol used as a sugar substitute in low-carb and sugar-free foods, offering a sweetness very close to table sugar.

Maltitol Syrup

Vegan

A liquid sugar alcohol used to replace corn syrup in sugar-free foods.

Maple Syrup

Check the Label

A sweet syrup made from the boiled-down sap of maple trees, iconic in North American breakfasts.

Mochi (Daifuku)

Check the Label

A Japanese rice cake made from mochigome, a short-grain glutinous rice. Daifuku is a specific type of mochi that is typically round and filled with a sweet paste, most commonly anko (red bean paste).

Monk Fruit

Vegan

A fruit native to Southern China used to create a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. Its intense sweetness comes from antioxidant compounds called mogrosides, which are extracted from the fruit's juice.

Neotame

Vegan

An ultra-potent artificial sweetener.

Neotame

Vegan

An artificial sweetener that is between 7,000 and 13,000 times sweeter than table sugar.

Oat Syrup

Vegan

A natural sweetener derived from oats.

Refined White Sugar

Check the Label

A common sweetener, also known as sucrose, derived from sugarcane or sugar beets. It has been processed to remove all molasses, resulting in fine white crystals.

Saccharin

Vegan

The oldest artificial sweetener, about 300 to 400 times sweeter than table sugar, but known for a metallic or bitter aftertaste.

Saccharin

Vegan

The oldest artificial sweetener, about 300 to 400 times sweeter than table sugar, but known for a metallic aftertaste.

Sodium Cyclamate

Vegan

An artificial sweetener used in low-calorie drinks.

Sodium Cyclamate

Vegan

An artificial sweetener that is 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar, often used in combination with saccharin.

Sorbitol

Vegan

A sugar alcohol that functions as a sweetener, a humectant (retains moisture), and a texturizer.

Sorghum Syrup

Vegan

A traditional sweetener made from the juice of sorghum cane.

Stevia

Vegan

A natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia plant.

Steviol Glycosides

Vegan

The highly purified chemical compounds extracted from the stevia plant, used as a high-intensity zero-calorie sweetener.

Sucralose

Vegan

A zero-calorie artificial sweetener that is about 600 times sweeter than sugar.

Sucralose (E955)

Vegan

An artificial, non-caloric sweetener made from sugar in a multi-step chemical process. It is used in a wide variety of 'sugar-free' and 'diet' products due to being approximately 600 times sweeter than table sugar.

Sucrose

Check the Label

The chemical name for table sugar. It is used universally as a sweetener and preservative.

Tagatose

Check the Label

A low-calorie functional sweetener.

Thaumatin

Vegan

A low-calorie sweetener and flavor modifier that is a natural protein extracted from a West African fruit.

Trehalose

Vegan

A sugar found in fungi and plants, used to retain moisture in foods.

Trehalose

Vegan

A sugar consisting of two molecules of glucose, used in food to mask bitter flavors and protect proteins from freezing or drying out.

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegan

A clear, odorless, sweet-tasting liquid derived from plant-based oils like soybean, coconut, or palm oil. It is widely used as a humectant, solvent, and sweetener in food, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals.

Xylitol

Vegan

A naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is as sweet as sugar but contains 40% fewer calories, famously good for dental health.

Xylitol

Vegan

A sugar alcohol used as a sugar substitute, often produced from birch bark or corn cobs. It provides sweetness similar to sugar but with approximately 40% fewer calories.

Yacon Syrup

Vegan

A low-glycemic sweetener extracted from the yacon plant, rich in FOS.

Frequently asked about sweetener

Are all sweetener ingredients vegan?

Not all. Of 61 sweetener ingredients indexed, 50 are vegan, 1 are non-vegan, and 10 can go either way depending on the manufacturer.

Which sweetener ingredients should vegans avoid?

The most common non-vegan sweetener ingredients are Honey. See the list below for the full breakdown and vegan alternatives for each.

What are vegan alternatives to sweetener ingredients?

Popular plant-based replacements include Maple syrup, Agave nectar, Date syrup. Each non-vegan entry below lists specific alternatives suited to its function.

How do I spot sweetener ingredients on a food label?

Look for the substance name or its E-number. Common sweetener E-numbers include E950, E950, E969, E969, E951. When in doubt, check the manufacturer's vegan certification or contact them directly.

Why are some sweetener ingredients listed as "check label"?

10 sweetener ingredients we've indexed can be derived from either plant or animal sources depending on the manufacturer. The vegan status only becomes clear when you check the brand or look for vegan certification.