FOOD ADDITIVE

E951

Aspartame

Most complete information about food additive Aspartame (E951) - What is it? Is it harmful to health?

E951 (Aspartame) - artificial sweetener, 200 times sweeter than sugar. Used in diet products and beverages. Safe for moderate consumption.

• Low-calorie sweetener • For diabetic nutrition • Heat-sensitive

GRAS - Generally Recognized As Safe (FDA, EFSA). Approved in Russia, EU, USA, Canada, Japan

AU: Approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand CA: Approved by Health Canada since 1981 CN: Allowed in China with dosage restrictions EU: Approved by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) IN: Approved by FSSAI with mandatory labeling JP: Approved by Japanese Ministry of Health RU: Allowed in Russian Federation with mandatory "contains phenylalanine" labeling US: GRAS status from FDA since 1981, allowed in food products and beverages

Aspartame (E951) - The Most Studied Artificial Sweetener

Aspartame is an intense artificial sweetener discovered in 1965. Widely used in diet drinks and "sugar-free" products. Has zero glycemic load, suitable for diabetics. Over 200 scientific studies confirm its safety when daily intake limits are followed.

ORIGIN

plant

Synthetic origin

SAFETY

GRAS

GRAS - Generally Recognized As Safe

FOR CHILDREN

Limited approval

With caution in phenylketonuria

PREGNANCY

Safe in moderate amounts

After medical consultation

Daily Intake Norm (ADI)

40.00 mg/kg

Established Daily Dose

According to JECFA/EFSA

2800 mg

Maximum for 70 kg person

Safe Amount per Day

Aspartame Health Effects

Usage Benefits:

Zero calories when used in products
Does not raise blood sugar levels - suitable for diabetics
Does not cause tooth decay unlike sugar
Allows to reduce product calories by 90-95%

Potential Risks and Limitations:

Contraindicated for people with phenylketonuria (PKU)
May cause headaches in sensitive individuals
Unstable at high temperatures - cannot be used in baking
May have laxative effect with excessive consumption

Medication Interactions:

Phenylketonuria treatment drugs: (dangerous) - Absolutely contraindicated - contains phenylalanine
Antidepressants (MAOIs): (moderate) - May enhance side effects
Levodopa (Parkinson disease): (moderate) - May reduce drug effectiveness
Thyroid medications: (mild) - Possible minor interactions

Chemical Properties

Formula: C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅

Molar Mass: 294.3000 g/mol

Appearance: White crystalline odorless powder

Solubility: Moderately soluble in water, better in alcohols

CAS Number: 22839-47-0

Melting Point: 246-247°C

Quality Standards: Meets FCC, USP, Eur. Ph., GOST R 53904-2010

Identification in Ingredients

Look on Package For:

E951 Aspartame NutraSweetSweetAspartameE951L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester

Shopping Tips:

Carefully read the composition on the package
Look for phenylalanine warning
Check expiration date
Prefer well-known brands
Avoid heating aspartame products

Commonly Found In:

Diet carbonated drinks (100-600 mg/l)
Sugar-free chewing gums (5-10 mg/piece)
Light yogurts and desserts (50-200 mg/100g)
Tabletop sweeteners in tablets (18-40 mg/tablet)
Cough medicine syrups (10-50 mg/dose)
Chewable vitamin supplements (5-20 mg/piece)
Diet jams and preserves (100-300 mg/100g)

For Special Groups

Children

For children over 3 years in limited quantities. Special attention to children at risk of phenylketonuria - mandatory pediatric consultation.

Pregnancy & Lactation

During pregnancy allowed in moderate amounts after medical consultation. Studies have not revealed negative effects on fetal development.

Elderly

For elderly people safe within daily limits. May be useful for type 2 diabetes and weight control.

Comparison with other colorants

Code

Name

Origin

Safety

Action

E951

Aspartame

synthetic

approved

Details

E950

Details

E955

Details

E960

Details

E967

Details

E421

Details

Historical Background

Aspartame was accidentally discovered in 1965 by chemist James Schlatter at G.D. Searle & Company.

The scientist was working on creating a drug for stomach ulcers and accidentally tasted the resulting compound, discovering its intense sweetness.

After 16 years of research and clinical trials, in 1981 FDA approved aspartame for use in dry products, and in 1983 - in carbonated drinks.

1965

Discovery year

1981

First FDA approval

90+

Countries where allowed

5000+

Products with aspartame

1.5 million

Tons annual production

Consumption Simulator E951

Estimate your daily intake of aspartame through various food products

0 mg

Current Consumption aspartame

Optimal Level

Optimal

Normal

Excess

0 mg 1400 mg 2800 mg

Explanation: Exceeding the norm established by EFSA does not mean immediate harm, but is recommended for safe regular consumption.

Select products you consumed today:

Personal Norm Calculation

Your Weight:

Daily Intake Norm: up to 40.00 mg per kg body weight

Recommended Maximum: 2800 mg for 70 kg person

*Calculations are for reference only

*Actual content depends on manufacturer

Bioavailability & Absorption

Intestinal absorption

98%

Liver metabolism

95%

Renal excretion

90%

Problem:

Aspartame is rapidly broken down in the intestine into components: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. In people with phenylketonuria, phenylalanine is not metabolized.

Solution:

For general population - metabolism occurs naturally
For people with PKU - complete exclusion of aspartame products
Control of daily consumption within ADI

Tip:

Combine aspartame products with protein foods for better amino acid absorption.

Natural Sources

Synthetic compoundNot found in nature in pure form

In nature

100%

Synthetic

Natural amino acids

180-200x

Sweeter than sugar

Aspartame is a completely synthetic compound and is not found in nature in its natural state. However, its components - aspartic acid and phenylalanine - are natural amino acids found in many protein products: Meat, fish and eggs:Rich in phenylalanine and aspartic acid

Dairy products: Contain both amino acids

Legumes and nuts: Natural sources of amino acids

Scientific Research

EFSA - Full re-evaluation of aspartame safety (2013)

EFSA Journal

Open Research

FDA - GRAS status of aspartame and research review

FDA

Open Research

JECFA - Safety assessment and ADI establishment

JECFA/WHO

Open Research

Ramazzini Institute - Carcinogenicity studies (2005-2007)

Environmental Health Perspectives

Open Research

Harvard University - Neurological effects association study

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Open Research

Meta-analysis of 32 aspartame safety studies

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

Open Research

Frequently Asked Questions about E951

Is aspartame harmful or not?

Aspartame is recognized as safe by more than 100 regulatory agencies worldwide, including FDA, EFSA and WHO. Safe when consumed within daily limits (40 mg/kg body weight).

Why is aspartame prohibited in phenylketonuria?

Aspartame contains phenylalanine - an amino acid that people with phenylketonuria cannot metabolize. Accumulation of phenylalanine in the blood can lead to serious neurological disorders.

Can children consume aspartame?

Yes, but in limited quantities. Children daily intake is calculated proportionally to weight. It is especially important to control consumption in children at risk of phenylketonuria.

Does aspartame cause cancer?

Numerous scientific studies, including large-scale EFSA and FDA studies, have not confirmed the association of aspartame with cancer development in humans when consumed within established norms.

How is aspartame better than sugar?

Aspartame contains no calories, does not raise blood sugar levels, does not cause tooth decay and allows significant reduction in product calories while maintaining sweet taste.

Why cant aspartame be heated?

When heated above 150°C, aspartame decomposes and loses sweetness. Therefore, it is not suitable for baking and cooking hot dishes.

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