The claim: “Made from sugar so it tastes just like sugar.”
The truth: Merisant Co., which makes sugar rival Equal, sued Splenda over its marketing slogan and advertising campaign, arguing that the company led consumers to believe Splenda was healthier and more natural than other sugar substitutes. In 2007, the two sides reached a settlement over the slogan. A jury also reached a verdict, but as a result of the settlement, it was not read in court. Splenda later changed its slogan to “It’s made from sugar. It tastes like sugar. But it’s not sugar.” Splenda’s main ingredient is sucralose, which is not sugar and is made in a laboratory. Sugar molecules are used in the process, but the final product contains no sugar.