E 951 - Aspartame | E-Number Information

Characteristics

Additive NameAspartame

E No.E 951

TypeIndividual Substance

In plain language

An intense artificial sweetener — about 200 times sweeter than sugar, so tiny amounts are used. Found in diet sodas, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie desserts, and yogurts. It contains phenylalanine, which is dangerous for people with PKU (phenylketonuria), so products must carry a warning. In 2023, the WHO's IARC classified it as "possibly carcinogenic" (Group 2B) — the same low-evidence category as pickled vegetables and aloe vera extract. EFSA and FDA still consider it safe at current approved intake levels. People with no PKU and moderate consumption have little reason for concern, but those wishing to avoid it have plenty of alternatives.

Conditions of Use

This additive is authorised to be used in the following 33 food categories:

3edible ices

Maximum Level = 800 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

4.2.2fruit and vegetables in vinegar oil or brine

Maximum Level = 300 mg/kg

only sweet-sour preserves of fruit and vegetables

1.4flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/L

only energy-reduced products or with no added sugar

4.2.3canned or bottled fruit and vegetables

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only fruit energy-reduced or with no added sugar

4.2.4.1fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only energy-reduced

4.2.5.1Extra jam and extra jelly as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only energy-reduced jams, jellies and marmalades

4.2.5jam jellies and marmalades and similar products

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only energy-reduced jams, jellies and marmalades

5.1Cocoa and chocolate products as covered by Directive 2000/36/EC

Maximum Level = 2000 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

5.3chewing gum

Maximum Level = 2500 mg/kg

only with added sugar or polyols, as flavour enhancer

Footnote 12: If E 950, E 951, E 955, E 957, E 959 and E 961 are used in combination in chewing gum, the maximum level for each is reduced proportionally

5.4Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4

Maximum Level = 2000 mg/kg

only starch based confectionery energy reduced or with no added sugar

6.3breakfast cereals

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only breakfast cereals with a fibre content of more than 15 %, and containing at least 20 % bran, energy reduced or with no added sugar

9.2Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans

Maximum Level = 300 mg/kg

only sweet-sour preserves and semi-preserves of fish and marinades of fish, crustaceans and molluscs

11.4.1table-top sweeteners in liquid form

Quantum satis (no max)

11.4.2table-top sweeteners in powder form

Quantum satis (no max)

11.4.3table-top sweeteners in tablets

Quantum satis (no max)

12.4Mustard

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

12.6Sauces

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

12.5Soups and broths

Maximum Level = 110 mg/kg

only energy-reduced soups

12.7Salads and savoury-based sandwich spreads

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

only Feinkostsalat

14.2.3Cider and perry

Maximum Level = 600 mg/L

excluding cydr jakościowy, perry jakościowe, cydr lodowy, perry lodowe

14.2.8Other alcoholic beverages including mixtures of alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages and other alcoholic beverages based on distilled alcohol with alcoholic strength by volume less than 15 %

Maximum Level = 600 mg/L

15.1Potato- cereal- flour- or starch-based snacks

Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg

15.2Processed nuts

Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg

16Desserts excluding products covered in category 1 3 and 4

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

4.2.5.3other similar fruit or vegetable spreads

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only energy-reduced fruit or vegetable spreads and dried-fruit-based sandwich spreads, energy-reduced or with no added sugar

5.2Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets

Maximum Level = 2000 mg/kg

only cocoa- or dried fruit-based, energy-reduced or with no added sugar

14.2.1beer and malt beverages

Maximum Level = 600 mg/L

only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; 'Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer' (original wort content less than 6 %) except for 'Obergäriges Einfachbier'; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the 'oud bruin' type

7.2Fine bakery wares

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only essoblaten - wafer paper

17.1food supplements supplied in a solid form excluding food supplements for infants and young children’,

Maximum Level = 2000 mg/kg

17.2food supplements supplied in a liquid form excluding food supplements for Infants and young children

Maximum Level = 600 mg/L

18.2Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012

= 800 mg/kg

14.1.4Flavoured_drinks

Maximum Level = 600 mg/L

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

14.1.3Fruit nectars as defined by Directive 2001/112/EC and vegetable nectars and similar products

Maximum Level = 600 mg/L

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

Source

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