Sucralose wasapproved by the FDA in 1998 for use in a wide variety of food productsincluding soft drinks. Sucralose is a low-calorie, high-intensity sweetenerthat is about 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is sold under the brand name of'Splenda. Sucralose and sucrose (sugar) have been shown to have similar tasteand flavor profiles. A number of other fascinating low-calorie sweetenersare currently undergoing safety evaluations for future use. These include alitame, a compound similar to aspartame thatis remarkably 2000 times sweeter than sucrose, and various naturally occurringplant derivatives, such as stevia and thaumatin.