Aspartame
What is Aspartame?
Aspartame is an artificial, low-calorie sweetener. It is made by combining two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which are naturally found in protein-rich foods.
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 a major allergen?
Not a major allergen.
What is Aspartame used for?
Manufacturers add aspartame to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without the calories of sugar.
Is Aspartame safe?
The FDA has approved aspartame as a food additive.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add aspartame to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without the calories of sugar. It is commonly found in diet sodas, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie desserts, and powdered drink mixes.
Health notes
The FDA has approved aspartame as a food additive. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have evaluated aspartame and set an acceptable daily intake. In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), while JECFA maintained its existing acceptable daily intake, stating that the evidence for a link to cancer in humans is not convincing. Aspartame is considered safe for most people at typical intake levels, but individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it due to its phenylalanine content.
Allergen info
Not a major allergen. However, it contains phenylalanine, which is a concern for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Foods that contain Aspartame
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