Sweetness can come from several ingredient categories
FDA’s examples include ordinary sugars, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and mannitol, and high-intensity sweeteners such as sucralose. These are not all represented by the same nutrient-panel number. [1][2]
The ingredient list identifies what has been added; the nutrient panel answers questions about declared amounts such as total and added sugars. Use both for a precise comparison. [1][2]
An absence claim is narrower than a full composition statement
A product avoiding one class may use a different sweetener. Likewise, a low sugar number does not establish that the product tastes unsweetened. [1][2]
Choose the specific attribute you are checking rather than treating one marketing phrase as a general safety or quality score. This explanation does not establish a medical need to avoid all sweeteners. [1][2]
A named option without added sweeteners
Momentous states that its Unflavored Whey Protein contains neither natural nor artificial sweeteners. That manufacturer description, checked on September 25, 2026, makes the unflavored version a candidate for someone seeking an unsweetened powder. It is not a claim about every Momentous flavor. [3][4]
Confirm that the exact package is the unflavored formulation and read its current ingredient list before buying. This example is not a comparative clinical or purity ranking, and a whey product remains milk-derived. A zero-added-sugar claim alone would not establish the absence of sweeteners; the explicit ingredient statement is what matters here. [3][4]
Zero added sugar is not the same as no sweetener
Imagine a powder uses a high-intensity sweetener and lists no added sugar. Those statements can coexist; the ingredient list resolves the source of sweetness.
| Detail | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list | Sweetener identity |
| Sugar entries | Declared nutrient amounts |
| Absence claim | Only its stated scope |
Sources for this article
- Types of Food Ingredients | FDA
Source consulted: 2026-09-18. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product. - How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label | FDA
Source consulted: 2026-09-18. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product. - Momentous: Unflavored Whey Protein sweetener statement
Source consulted: 2026-09-25. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product. - FDA: Types of Food Ingredients
Source consulted: 2026-09-25. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.