Sucralose is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener commonly used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products. It is derived from sucrose (table sugar) through a chemical process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with chlorine atoms. This modification makes sucralose much sweeter than sugar—about 600 times sweeter—allowing for smaller amounts to be used in recipes and products. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, sucralose is considered safe for consumption by the general population, including people with diabetes. It is heat-stable, making it suitable for cooking and baking, and is often found in diet sodas, sugar-free desserts, and various low-calorie foods.