E 961 - Neotame | E-Number Information

Characteristics

Additive NameNeotame

E No.E 961

TypeIndividual Substance

In plain language

A synthetic high-intensity sweetener, roughly 7,000–13,000 times sweeter than sugar. Used in tiny amounts across a wide range of products — ice cream, jams, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, and even processed fish. It's structurally similar to aspartame but does not require a phenylalanine warning, making it safe for people with PKU. EFSA and FDA consider it safe at approved levels. Long-term human data is still limited compared to older sweeteners, but no significant red flags have emerged. Like most intense sweeteners, some researchers question its effects on gut microbiota and appetite regulation — the evidence is inconclusive.

Conditions of Use

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

3edible ices

Maximum Level = 26 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

4.2.2fruit and vegetables in vinegar oil or brine

Maximum Level = 10 mg/kg

only sweet-sour preserves of fruit and vegetables

4.2.3canned or bottled fruit and vegetables

Maximum Level = 32 mg/kg

only fruit energy-reduced or with no added sugar

4.2.4.1fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote

Maximum Level = 32 mg/kg

only energy-reduced

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

Maximum Level = 32 mg/kg

only energy-reduced jams jellies and marmalades

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

Maximum Level = 65 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

5.3chewing gum

Maximum Level = 3 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

6.3breakfast cereals

Maximum Level = 32 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 = 10 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 = 12 mg/kg

12.5Soups and broths

Maximum Level = 5 mg/kg

only energy-reduced soups

12.6Sauces

Maximum Level = 12 mg/kg

12.7Salads and savoury-based sandwich spreads

Maximum Level = 12 mg/kg

only Feinkostsalat

14.2.3Cider and perry

Maximum Level = 20 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 = 20 mg/L

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

Maximum Level = 18 mg/kg

15.2Processed nuts

Maximum Level = 18 mg/kg

16Desserts excluding products covered in category 1 3 and 4

Maximum Level = 32 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

1.4flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products

Maximum Level = 32 mg/L

only energy-reduced products or with no added sugar

4.2.5jam jellies and marmalades and similar products

Maximum Level = 32 mg/kg

only energy-reduced jams, jellies and marmalades

14.2.1beer and malt beverages

Maximum Level = 20 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

5.2Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets

Maximum Level = 65 mg/kg

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

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

Maximum Level = 2 mg/kg

only sauces as flavour enhancer

7.2Fine bakery wares

Maximum Level = 60 mg/kg

only cornets and wafers, for ice-cream, with no added sugar

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

Maximum Level = 185 mg/kg

only food supplements in chewable form

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

Maximum Level = 20 mg/L

4.2.5.3other similar fruit or vegetable spreads

Maximum Level = 32 mg/kg

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

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

= 26 mg/kg

14.1.4Flavoured_drinks

Maximum Level = 20 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 = 20 mg/L

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

Source

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