Fiber Supplements Without Sucralose or Aspartame: How to Read the Label
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Last updated October 11, 2026 · By the Fiber Society team
A fiber supplement without sucralose or aspartame is easy to spot once you know where to look: the sweetener is listed by name near the end of the ingredient line, and the facts panel shows whether it adds calories or added sugars. Of the eight widely sold fiber powders compared below, per their label records on NIH DSLD and DailyMed as of October 2026, three list aspartame (one paired with acesulfame potassium), three list stevia, one lists sugar, and one lists no sweetener. None lists sucralose.
Key takeaways
- Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight (21 CFR 101.4); sweeteners used in milligrams sit near the end of the list.
- "Sugar-free" means less than 0.5 g of sugars per serving (21 CFR 101.60), not unsweetened and not low calorie.
- FDA lists aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and saccharin as approved sweeteners and has "no questions" on GRAS notices for high-purity steviol glycosides, including Reb M, and monk fruit extract.
- Per the labels as of October 2026: Metamucil Sugar-Free Orange, Citrucel Sugar Free Orange, and Benefiber on the GO Kiwi Strawberry list aspartame; Metamucil Premium Blend and Konsyl Orange list stevia; Benefiber Original lists none; Fiber Society lists stevia leaf extract (Reb M).
- Disclosure: Fiber Society sells one of the products compared here.
Where sweeteners hide on a fiber supplement label
Start at the end of the ingredient list
Under 21 CFR 101.4, ingredients "shall be listed by common or usual name in descending order of predominance by weight." Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and sucralose about 600 times, per FDA, so a serving needs only milligrams and the sweetener lands near the bottom, sometimes behind "contains 2 percent or less of." On a Supplement Facts label, read "Other ingredients" under the panel; on a Drug Facts label, such as Citrucel's, read "Inactive ingredients."
Per the labels as of October 2026, Metamucil 4-in-1 Fiber Sugar-Free Orange lists six ingredients: psyllium husk, maltodextrin, citric acid, natural and artificial orange flavor, aspartame, Yellow 6. Benefiber on the GO Kiwi Strawberry lists thirteen, with aspartame fourth and acesulfame potassium seventh; FDA notes that acesulfame potassium "is often combined with other sweeteners" and can appear as acesulfame K or Ace-K.
Maltodextrin: the carrier that brings the calories
Maltodextrin is a starch-derived powder that bulks out flavor systems and carries high-intensity sweeteners, and it explains the non-fiber calories on the flavored labels below. Citrucel Sugar Free Orange says so directly: "each rounded tablespoon contributes 30 calories from maltodextrin," for 2 g of methylcellulose. Metamucil Sugar-Free Orange lists maltodextrin second and calls itself "Sugar-Free. Not a low-calorie food," at 15 calories for 3 g of fiber. A quick check is calories per gram of fiber: Citrucel Sugar Free Orange 15, Metamucil Sugar-Free Orange and Benefiber Original 5, Fiber Society Daily Fiber Blend 2.
"Natural flavors" is a flavor, not a sweetener
Under 21 CFR 101.22, a natural flavor is an "essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive" whose job is to impart flavor, and flavors may be declared collectively. A sweetener's job is sweetness, so it is declared by its own name under 101.4 rather than folded into the flavor. What the label will not tell you is what is inside the flavor system itself.
The Added Sugars line
A sugar-sweetened powder shows it twice: in the ingredient list and on the "Includes X g Added Sugars" line. Metamucil 4-in-1 Fiber Powder Unflavored lists two ingredients, sugar then psyllium, and declares 4 g of added sugars (7% DV) per rounded teaspoon against an FDA Daily Value of 50 g. A label reading "0 g Added Sugars" with stevia or aspartame below the panel is sugar-free in the regulatory sense, not sweetener-free.
What FDA says about each sweetener
Everything in this table comes from FDA's sweeteners page and GRAS Notice Inventory as of October 2026. Approval status is a regulatory fact, not a verdict; avoiding a sweetener is a preference.
| Sweetener | Names on the label | FDA status (per FDA) | Sweetness vs table sugar (per FDA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspartame | aspartame; label must state it contains phenylalanine | Approved food additive; first regulated 1974, general-purpose sweetener 1996 | About 200 times |
| Sucralose | sucralose | Approved; 15 food categories in 1998, general-purpose 1999 | About 600 times |
| Acesulfame potassium | acesulfame potassium, acesulfame K, Ace-K | Approved; specific uses 1988, general-purpose 2003 | About 200 times |
| Saccharin | saccharin, sodium saccharin | Approved under certain conditions; regulated as a food additive since 1977 | 200 to 700 times |
| Steviol glycosides (stevia) | stevia, stevia leaf extract, steviol glycosides, Reb A, Reb M | GRAS notices for high-purity (95% minimum) steviol glycosides, which FDA "has not questioned"; stevia leaf and crude extracts are not GRAS as sweeteners | 200 to 400 times |
| Monk fruit | monk fruit extract, luo han guo, SGFE | GRAS notices; FDA has not questioned them | 100 to 250 times |
| Erythritol and other sugar alcohols | erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol | Permitted as sugar substitutes (sugar alcohols) | 25% to 100% as sweet |
Stevia leaf extract, Reb A, and Reb M
"Stevia" on a US label means purified steviol glycosides, not the leaf; FDA says stevia leaf and crude extracts are "not considered GRAS." Rebaudioside A (Reb A) is the glycoside named on FDA's sweeteners page. Rebaudioside M (Reb M) is a different glycoside from the same leaf, typically made by enzymatic conversion of other steviol glycosides purified from stevia leaves. FDA's GRAS Notice Inventory lists Reb M notices answered "FDA has no questions," including GRN 780 (Tate & Lyle, 2018) and GRN 1260 (PureCircle by Ingredion, 2025). Konsyl Orange names its stevia as rebaudioside A, Fiber Society as Reb M, and Metamucil Premium Blend simply says "stevia." None of the eight powders below lists monk fruit or erythritol.
Fiber powders compared by sweetener, grams, and fiber type
Disclosure: Fiber Society makes the Daily Fiber Blend in the last row. Every row comes from the product's label record on NIH DSLD or DailyMed, per the label as of October 2026. Formulas change, so confirm against the container in your hand.
| Product (per label, Oct 2026) | Sweetener(s) listed | Fiber per serving | Fiber type | Serving | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metamucil 4-in-1 Fiber, Sugar-Free Orange | Aspartame ("Contains phenylalanine 25 mg per teaspoon") | 3 g (11% DV) | Psyllium husk | 1 rounded tsp (5.8 g) | 15 |
| Metamucil Premium Blend, Sugar-Free Orange with Stevia | Stevia | 3 g (10% DV) | Psyllium | 1 rounded tsp (5.7 g) | 15 |
| Metamucil 4-in-1 Fiber Powder, Unflavored | Sugar (4 g added sugars, 7% DV) | 3 g (11% DV) | Psyllium | 1 rounded tsp (7 g) | 20 |
| Benefiber Original | None | 3 g (11% DV) | Wheat dextrin | 2 tsp (4 g) | 15 |
| Benefiber on the GO, Kiwi Strawberry | Aspartame and acesulfame potassium | 3 g (12% DV) | Wheat dextrin | 1 stick pack (6.2 g) | 20 |
| Citrucel Sugar Free Orange (OTC drug) | Aspartame ("Contains phenylalanine 48.6 mg per adult dose") | 2 g methylcellulose (active ingredient) | Methylcellulose | 1 rounded tbsp | 30 ("from maltodextrin") |
| Konsyl Orange Extra Strength Formula | Rebaudioside A ("Sweetened with stevia") | 5 g (20% DV) | Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid, 6 g | 9 g (label: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon) | 30 |
| Fiber Society Daily Fiber Blend, Strawberry Lemonade | Stevia leaf extract (Reb M); 0 g sugar | 10 g (about 40% of the 25 g a day EFSA recommends for adults) | Organic acacia 7.3 g, psyllium husk 2.5 g, Fibersol-2 1.95 g, BeniCaros carrot fiber 300 mg | 1 scoop (14.2 g) | About 20 |
None of these labels lists sucralose; among the flavored powders, aspartame appears most. "Stevia" does not mean "no synthetic color": Konsyl Orange pairs rebaudioside A with FD&C Yellow No. 6, while Metamucil Premium Blend uses paprika extract and turmeric, and Benefiber on the GO lists Red 40 beside its two sweeteners. Fiber type matters too: psyllium forms a gel (hence "drink promptly"), wheat dextrin is labeled clear and taste-free, and acacia-led blends are designed to drink thin. See Metamucil alternatives compared gram for gram, psyllium vs inulin, acacia vs psyllium, or, for gummies, fiber gummies vs powder.
The 60-second label checklist
- Read the ingredient line to the end for aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), saccharin, stevia or steviol glycosides (Reb A, Reb M), monk fruit, erythritol, or sugar.
- Check for the phenylalanine statement. If it is there, the product contains aspartame.
- Read "Added Sugars." 0 g rules out sugar, not high-intensity sweeteners.
- Divide calories by grams of fiber. A high ratio points to maltodextrin.
- Note the color and the fiber type. Yellow 6 and Red 40 are synthetic dyes; paprika, turmeric, and beet juice are plant-derived.
FAQ
Does Metamucil have sucralose?
Not on the three US labels we checked on NIH DSLD as of October 2026: Sugar-Free Orange lists aspartame, Premium Blend Sugar-Free Orange lists stevia, and 4-in-1 Fiber Powder Unflavored lists sugar and psyllium only. Confirm on the container, since formulas vary by product and country.
Does Benefiber have artificial sweeteners?
It depends on the product. Per DSLD as of October 2026, Benefiber Original lists one ingredient, wheat dextrin, while Benefiber on the GO Kiwi Strawberry lists aspartame and acesulfame potassium.
Is stevia an artificial sweetener?
FDA groups high-purity steviol glycosides with the plant- and fruit-based high-intensity sweeteners and has not questioned their GRAS notices. Whether that counts as "natural" is a labeling debate FDA's page does not settle; it does say whole-leaf stevia and crude extracts are not GRAS as sweeteners.
What does "sugar-free" mean on a fiber supplement?
Under 21 CFR 101.60, less than 0.5 g of sugars per serving. It does not mean no sweetener or low calorie; Metamucil Sugar-Free Orange carries the line "Not a low-calorie food."
Which fiber powders have no sweetener at all?
Among the labels we opened, Benefiber Original (wheat dextrin only) and single-ingredient psyllium husk powders such as Viva Naturals Organic Psyllium Husk Powder (4 g of fiber per 5 g teaspoon, per DSLD) list no sweetener, flavor, or color.
Where Fiber Society fits
Fiber Society makes one of the products in the table, so read this section with that in mind. Daily Fiber Blend (Strawberry Lemonade) is sweetened with stevia leaf extract (Reb M), with no sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, or synthetic dyes; the color is beet juice powder. Each 14.2 g scoop provides 10 g of dietary fiber (about 40% of the 25 g a day EFSA recommends for adults) from organic acacia (7.3 g), psyllium husk (2.5 g), Fibersol-2 resistant maltodextrin (1.95 g), and BeniCaros carrot fiber (300 mg), with about 20 calories and 0 g sugar. It is vegan and gluten-free, and because most of the fiber is acacia with psyllium kept to 2.5 g, it is designed to drink thin in 350 to 400 ml of cold water. It is high in fiber: 10 g per glass, 0 g sugar, about 20 calories. A pouch holds 28 servings: 20% off on a 4-week subscription, or one-time at the regular price.
It is gentle by design: start with half a scoop for the first few days, do not exceed 2 scoops a day, take it at least 2 hours apart from oral medications, and always use at least a full glass of liquid. Taking it with too little liquid can cause choking; do not take it if you have difficulty swallowing.
This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about your own needs, especially if you take medication or have a digestive condition.
Sources
- FDA: Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food
- FDA GRAS Notice Inventory: GRN 780, Rebaudioside M (Tate & Lyle)
- FDA GRAS Notice Inventory: GRN 1260, Rebaudioside M (PureCircle by Ingredion)
- FDA: Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels
- 21 CFR 101.4, Food; designation of ingredients
- 21 CFR 101.22, Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
- 21 CFR 101.60, Nutrient content claims for the calorie content of foods (sugar free)
- NIH DSLD: Metamucil 4-in-1 Fiber Orange Sugar-Free (ID 303994)
- NIH DSLD: Metamucil Premium Blend Orange Sugar-Free with Stevia (ID 291984)
- NIH DSLD: Metamucil 4-in-1 Fiber Powder Unflavored (ID 277455)
- NIH DSLD: Benefiber (wheat dextrin powder, GSK) (ID 276689)
- NIH DSLD: Benefiber on the GO Prebiotic Kiwi Strawberry (ID 274595)
- NIH DSLD: Konsyl Orange Extra Strength Formula (ID 276857)
- NIH DSLD: Viva Naturals Organic Psyllium Husk Powder (ID 248174)
- DailyMed: Citrucel (methylcellulose) powder, Haleon, label updated March 2026
- Fiber Society: Daily Fiber Blend Supplement Facts