Does Optimum Nutrition Contain Artificial Sweeteners?
The short answer is: it depends on the product and the flavor.
Optimum Nutrition is one of the most searched supplement brands in the protein category. The artificial sweetener question comes up consistently, and the answer is not the same across every product in the range. Here is what CuratedFit found when reviewing the two ON products currently in the catalogue.
Gold Standard 100% Whey
The flavored versions of Gold Standard 100% Whey contain sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Both are artificial sweeteners. They are secondary formulation ingredients present in small quantities, not active compounds, but they are there and the label confirms it.
The unflavored version contains no artificial sweeteners and no flavorings of any kind. The ingredient list is: whey protein blend (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolyzed whey protein isolate) and soy lecithin. Nothing else.
If avoiding artificial sweeteners is a priority, the unflavored version of Gold Standard Whey is the straightforward answer. It is the version CuratedFit recommends for anyone who wants to minimize secondary ingredients.
Gold Standard 100% Casein
The same applies to Gold Standard Casein. Flavored versions contain sucralose and acesulfame potassium. The EU formulation reviewed by CuratedFit is currently only available in flavored variants, meaning there is no unflavored casein option in the EU range at this time.
One additional flag specific to certain casein flavor variants: at least one flavor lists FD&C Yellow No. 5, a synthetic azo dye that carries specific labeling requirements in some EU jurisdictions. This is a separate concern from the sweeteners and worth checking on the specific flavor before purchasing.
What sucralose and acesulfame potassium actually are
Sucralose is a chlorinated derivative of sucrose. It is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar and passes through the body largely unabsorbed. Acesulfame potassium is a synthetic sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar, often used alongside sucralose because the two compounds together produce a more balanced sweetness profile than either alone.
Both are approved food additives in the EU and UK. CuratedFit flags them in reviews for transparency rather than treating them as disqualifying factors. They are secondary formulation ingredients, not active compounds, and the CuratedFit Standard evaluates active ingredients first.
The bottom line
Flavored ON products contain artificial sweeteners. Unflavored ON products do not.
If you are specifically looking for a whey protein with no artificial sweeteners, the Gold Standard Natural Whey unflavored is the version to choose. It is in the CuratedFit catalogue and has been independently reviewed against the full CuratedFit Standard.
Comments