Aspartame
LimitAlso known as: E951, NutraSweet, Equal
A low-calorie artificial sweetener about 200x sweeter than sugar, used in diet sodas and sugar-free foods.
How often you'll see it
Very common
Based on how frequently aspartame appears in packaged foods scanned with Goby AI.
What is it?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener made from two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It provides intense sweetness with virtually no calories, which is why it is common in diet beverages and sugar-free products.
Is Aspartame safe?
Major regulators including the FDA and EFSA consider aspartame safe within the acceptable daily intake. In 2023 the IARC classified it as 'possibly carcinogenic' (group 2B) while reaffirming current intake limits, so moderate consumption is widely viewed as acceptable.
Commonly Found In
- Diet soda
- Sugar-free gum
- Tabletop sweeteners
- Light yogurt
- Sugar-free desserts
Key Concerns
- !Must be avoided by people with phenylketonuria (PKU)
- !Classified as possibly carcinogenic at very high intakes
- !Some people report headaches; evidence is mixed
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Related Ingredients
- SucraloseA zero-calorie artificial sweetener around 600x sweeter than sugar, stable for baking.
- Acesulfame PotassiumA calorie-free artificial sweetener often blended with aspartame or sucralose.
- Monosodium GlutamateA flavor enhancer that adds savory umami taste, common in processed and restaurant foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aspartame safe?
Regulators consider aspartame safe within the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight, though people with PKU must avoid it.
Does aspartame cause cancer?
The IARC labeled it 'possibly carcinogenic' but kept the same safe intake limits, meaning typical consumption is not considered high risk.