FAQs
The Aspartame Information Service provides the answers to frequently asked questions about how the sweetener can be a healthy part of your diet.
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What is aspartame?
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetening ingredient that tastes just like sugar. It is made from two building blocks of protein just like those found naturally in many everyday foods such as meat, fish, cheese, eggs and milk. Aspartame is digested by the body in exactly the same way as these other protein foods and so does not bring anything new to the diet.
What does aspartame taste like?
Aspartame tastes like sugar and has no bitter aftertaste. This means that foods containing aspartame enable us to enjoy the same sweet taste as sugar, but as part of a healthier diet.
What kind of products contain aspartame?
Aspartame can be found in a variety of food products including:
| Beverages: |
Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, fruit drinks, squashes, iced teas and coffees and hot chocolate drinks. |
| Dairy products: |
Yoghurts, dairy desserts and fromage frais. |
| Confectionery: |
Chewing gum, sweets, chocolate, breath mints. |
| Table-top sweeteners: |
Tablets and spoon-for-spoon powders. |
| Frozen desserts: |
Ice cream and frozen snacks. |
| Powdered products: |
Powdered soft drinks, milkshake mixes, and multivitamin drinks. |
| Cereals: |
Cereal mixes, mueslis. |
| Preserves: |
Fruit preserves, canned fruits. |
| Pharmaceuticals: |
Effervescent tablets, chewable tablets and sachets. |
What is the E-number for aspartame?
The E-number for aspartame is E-951. The 'E' before the number indicates that an ingredient has been approved for use within the European Union and the number itself denotes the specific ingredient. An E-number is confirmation that a food ingredient is safe. Rigorous tests must be carried out before an ingredient is granted an E-number and, following their acceptance, ingredients can be reviewed at any time.
What is the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame?
The average daily intake that is acceptable for aspartame has been set at 40mg per kg of bodyweight. To consume the ADI of aspartame, a person of 70kg would have to drink just over 5 litres of a drink sweetened only with aspartame every day.
How sweet is aspartame?
Aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and as a result only very small quantities are required to ensure an excellent sweet taste. A can of soft drink sweetened with sugar contains between 100 and 150 Calories, compared to only one or two Calories in a can of soft drink sweetened with aspartame.
What are the benefits of aspartame?
Aspartame is the ideal alternative to sugar with virtually no Calories. It is of special benefit to diabetics and slimmers, as well as for all of us who want to maintain a well-balanced healthy diet. In addition, since it is sugar-free, aspartame can make an important contribution to good dental health.
Is aspartame safe for everyone?
Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested ingredients in our food supply. It has been approved by health and regulatory authorities in 100 countries. Numerous organisations, including experts of the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, the European Union's Scientific Committee for Food, and the United States Food & Drug Administration have approved the use of aspartame in food and drinks. Aspartame is safe for the general population, including pregnant women and nursing mothers, children, diabetics and slimmers.
How is aspartame used?
Aspartame is one of the most widely used sweetening ingredients in the world. Products sweetened with aspartame make an enjoyable contribution to a healthier diet. For example, by using table-top sweeteners to sweeten hot and cold drinks, such as tea, coffee and home made lemonade, you can reduce both your calorie and carbohydrate intake. Products sweetened with aspartame can also be used in the preparation and creation of low-calorie savoury and sweet dishes which can be made at home.
Why do products which contain aspartame have the label 'Contains a source of phenylalanine' on the packaging?
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid (that is, an amino acid which our bodies cannot make and which we must obtain from our diet). It is also one of the amino acids which is used to make aspartame. Phenylalanine is found in all protein-containing foods including milk, cheese, eggs, meat and fish.
Products which contain aspartame have a label which says 'Contains a source of phenylalanine'. This label is there to help people with a rare inherited genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). These people cannot metabolise phenylalanine from any source and need to follow a strict diet to control their intake of this amino acid. The disorder affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies, and is identified by screening shortly after birth.