Aspartamet

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is much sweeter than sugar. It is made by chemically combining two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. This process results in a low-calorie sweetener.

Manufacturers add aspartame to foods and beverages to provide a sweet taste without adding significant calories. It is commonly found in diet sodas, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie desserts, and powdered drink mixes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (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 JECFA has 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 there was no convincing evidence of harm at typical consumption levels. Products containing aspartame must carry a warning for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) because it contains phenylalanine.