Ingredient · E951

The Following: Aspartame

Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add aspartame to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without the calories of …

This entry is a label phrase. See the main ingredient page: Aspartame.

What is The Following: Aspartame?

Aspartame is an artificial, non-nutritive sweetener. It is a dipeptide methyl ester, meaning it is formed from two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and a small amount of methanol. It is produced through a chemical synthesis process.

Is The Following: Aspartame vegan?

The Following: Aspartame is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.

Is The Following: Aspartame a major allergen?

Aspartame is not a major allergen.

What is The Following: Aspartame used for?

Manufacturers add aspartame to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without the calories of sugar.

Is The Following: Aspartame safe?

Aspartame is approved by the FDA as a general-purpose 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 sugar-free and low-calorie products such as diet soft drinks, chewing gum, yogurts, desserts, and powdered drink mixes.

Health notes

Aspartame is approved by the FDA as a general-purpose food additive. It is generally recognized as safe for consumption at typical intake levels. JECFA has evaluated aspartame and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA has also concluded it is safe at current intake levels. However, 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, citing different focuses in their evaluations.

Allergen info

Aspartame is not a major allergen. However, it contains phenylalanine, which must be avoided by individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), and products containing aspartame are required to carry a warning for PKU sufferers.

Foods that contain The Following: Aspartame

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Strawberry Flavored Low Calorie Sugar Free All Pink Gelatin, Strawberry The Jel Sert Company Strawberry Flavored Low Calorie Sugar Free All Pink Gelatin, Strawberry Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 400kcal 40Protein 0Fat 40Carbs Lime Sugar Free Reduced Calorie Gelatin, Lime The Jel Sert Company Lime Sugar Free Reduced Calorie Gelatin, Lime Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 200kcal 40Protein 0Fat 0Carbs Orange Sugar Free Gelatin Dessert, Orange Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Orange Sugar Free Gelatin Dessert, Orange Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 24kcal 4.8Protein 0Fat 4.8Carbs Raspberry Sugar Free Gelatin Dessert, Raspberry Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Raspberry Sugar Free Gelatin Dessert, Raspberry Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 238kcal 47.6Protein 0Fat 0Carbs The Jel Sert Company Low Calorie Tea Drink Mix Powdered Drinks 385kcal 0Protein 0Fat 76.9Carbs The Jel Sert Company Cherry Flavored Low Calorie Sugar Free Gelatin, Cherry Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 250kcal 50Protein 0Fat 0Carbs The Jel Sert Company Blue Raspberry Flavored Low Calorie Sugar Free Gelatin, Blue Raspberry Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 200kcal 40Protein 0Fat 0Carbs The Jel Sert Company Cherry Sugar Free Reduced Calorie Gelatin, Cherry Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 200kcal 40Protein 0Fat 0Carbs The Jel Sert Company Orange Sugar Free Reduced Calorie Gelatin, Orange Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 200kcal 40Protein 0Fat 0Carbs Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Strawberry Banana Sugar Free Gelatin Dessert, Strawberry Banana Gelatin, Gels, Pectins & Desserts 238kcal 47.6Protein 0Fat 47.6Carbs
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Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.