E 962 - Salt of aspartame-acesulfame

Characteristics

Additive NameSalt of aspartame-acesulfame

E No.E 962

TypeIndividual Substance

In plain language

A synthetic sweetener that combines two artificial sweeteners — aspartame and acesulfame-K — in a single compound. It delivers intense sweetness with very few calories and is found in sugar-free and diet products across a wide range of categories, from ice cream and chewing gum to jams and breakfast cereals. Because it contains aspartame, it must be labelled as a source of phenylalanine — essential information for people with PKU. EFSA considers it safe at approved levels for the general population. However, the aspartame component was classified by IARC in 2023 as 'possibly carcinogenic' (Group 2B), though WHO and EFSA stress that typical consumption remains well below levels of concern. Some people report sensitivity to aspartame, including headaches.

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

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

4.2.2fruit and vegetables in vinegar oil or brine

Maximum Level = 200 mg/kg

only sweet-sour preserves of fruit and vegetables

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

4.2.3canned or bottled fruit and vegetables

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

only fruit energy-reduced or with no added sugar

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

4.2.4.1fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

only energy-reduced

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

4.2.5jam jellies and marmalades and similar products

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only energy-reduced jams jellies and marmalades

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

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

Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

5.2Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets

Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg

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

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

5.3chewing gum

Maximum Level = 2000 mg/kg

only with no added sugar

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

9.2Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans

Maximum Level = 200 mg/kg

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

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

12.6Sauces

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

12.5Soups and broths

Maximum Level = 110 mg/kg

only energy-reduced soups

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

12.7Salads and savoury-based sandwich spreads

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

only Feinkostsalat

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

16Desserts excluding products covered in category 1 3 and 4

Maximum Level = 350 mg/L

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

14.2.3Cider and perry

Maximum Level = 350 mg/L

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

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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 = 350 mg/L

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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

Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

15.2Processed nuts

Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

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

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

1.4flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products

Maximum Level = 350 mg/L

only energy-reduced products or with no added sugar

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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

Maximum Level = 350 mg/kg

only sauces

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

14.2.1beer and malt beverages

Maximum Level = 350 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

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

7.2Fine bakery wares

Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg

only essoblaten - wafer paper

Footnote 49: The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950)

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

Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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

Maximum Level = 350 mg/L

Footnote 11(a): Limits are expressed as acesulfame K equivalent

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

= 450 mg/kg

14.1.4Flavoured_drinks

Maximum Level = 350 mg/L

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

Maximum Level = 350 mg/L

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

Source

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