Stevia is not only a safe alternative it is actually alkaline. I use it all the time for my herbal teas and green tea. Artificial sweeteners are so deadly it almost makes me think the government wants shorter life spans so they do not have to pay social security. People that work for the FDA and approve these poisons move on to high paying jobs at the companies they helped out by allowing these poisons to be marketed. The entire system is corrupt right on up to your senators and congressmen and maybe even the president one of which did Chesterfield commercials when he was an actor.