Aspartame
What is Aspartame?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener, approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is a dipeptide methyl ester, made from two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is synthesised industrially.
Is Aspartame vegan?
Aspartame is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.
Is Aspartame gluten-free?
It does not contain gluten.
Is Aspartame a major allergen?
Aspartame is not derived from any of the 14 major allergens that UK law requires to be emphasised on food labels.
What is Aspartame used for?
Manufacturers add aspartame to provide sweetness with very few calories.
Is Aspartame safe?
Aspartame is authorised as a food additive in Great Britain and is listed on the Register of Food Additive Authorisations.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add aspartame to provide sweetness with very few calories. It is commonly found in 'diet' or 'sugar-free' versions of soft drinks, yogurts, chewing gum, and tabletop sweeteners.
Health notes
Aspartame is authorised as a food additive in Great Britain and is listed on the Register of Food Additive Authorisations. European food safety authorities, including EFSA, have evaluated aspartame. JECFA has also evaluated it and set an acceptable daily intake. Concerns have been raised about aspartame's safety, but regulatory bodies have consistently found it safe for the general population at typical consumption levels. Individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid aspartame as it contains phenylalanine.
Regulatory status
Authorised in Great Britain (FSA register): England, Scotland, Wales. FSA register of authorised products
Permitted uses in the EU
| Food category | Maximum level |
|---|---|
| 1.4 flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products | 1000 |
| 3 edible ices | 800 |
| 4.2.2 fruit and vegetables in vinegar oil or brine | 300 |
| 4.2.3 canned or bottled fruit and vegetables | 1000 |
| 4.2.4.1 fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote | 1000 |
| 4.2.5 jam jellies and marmalades and similar products | 1000 |
| 4.2.5.1 Extra jam and extra jelly as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC | 1000 |
| 4.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC | 1000 |
| 4.2.5.3 other similar fruit or vegetable spreads | 1000 |
| 5.1 Cocoa and chocolate products as covered by Directive 2000/36/EC | 2000 |
| 5.2 Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets | 2000 |
| 5.2 Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets | 6000 |
| 5.2 Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets | 1000 |
| 5.3 chewing gum | 2500 |
| 5.3 chewing gum | 5500 |
| 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 | 350 |
| 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 | 2000 |
| 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 | 1000 |
| 6.3 breakfast cereals | 1000 |
| 7.2 Fine bakery wares | 1000 |
| 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans | 300 |
| 11.4.1 table-top sweeteners in liquid form | No numerical limit listed |
| 11.4.2 table-top sweeteners in powder form | No numerical limit listed |
| 11.4.3 table-top sweeteners in tablets | No numerical limit listed |
| 12.4 Mustard | 350 |
| 12.5 Soups and broths | 110 |
| 12.6 Sauces | 350 |
| 12.7 Salads and savoury-based sandwich spreads | 350 |
| 13.2 Foods for special medical purposes as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 (excluding products from food category 13.1.5.) | 1000 |
| 13.3 Total diet replacement for weight control food as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 | 800 |
Allergen info
Aspartame is not derived from any of the 14 major allergens that UK law requires to be emphasised on food labels. It does not contain gluten.
Foods that contain Aspartame
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