Aspartame (E951) β What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Aspartame?
Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It was discovered accidentally in 1965 by James M. Schlatter while he was working on an anti-ulcer drug. It is one of the most studied food additives in history, yet remains one of the most controversial. In July 2023, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B), creating significant public concern, though the WHO's separate nutritional body (JECFA) maintained its ADI.
What Is It Used For?
Used as a sugar substitute in diet soft drinks, tabletop sweeteners, chewing gum, yogurt, and many 'sugar-free' products. Degrades at high temperatures, so it is not suitable for baking.
Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
Aspartame is contraindicated for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder, because it contains phenylalanine. In July 2023, IARC classified aspartame as Group 2B ('possibly carcinogenic to humans') based on limited evidence from observational studies showing associations with hepatocellular carcinoma. The JECFA (WHO/FAO's food additives committee) simultaneously reviewed the evidence and maintained the ADI of 40 mg/kg bw/day, stating the evidence was 'not convincing' enough to change safe intake levels. The FDA also maintained its position that aspartame is safe. The Group 2B classification is the second-lowest category of carcinogenic hazard and includes many common substances including pickled vegetables and aloe vera extract. The debate continues and ongoing research is warranted.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Aspartame an editorial context label of Questionable with a score of 4/10. This is 1.8 points below the database average for sweeteners (5.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2023. The dataset's population estimate equals about 0.1% of the listed ADI.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E951 or 'Aspartame'
βΆChemical Information
Primary Sources
Source review: 2026-08-08Official references relevant to this page. Check the agency record for current permitted uses, limits and jurisdiction-specific wording.
- European Commission: EU Food Additives Database βEU authorisations and conditions of use
- WHO / FAO JECFA: JECFA food-additives database βInternational evaluations and acceptable daily intakes
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Aspartame and other sweeteners in food βU.S. sweetener authorisations and consumer information
- European Food Safety Authority: Food additives βEFSA food-additive safety assessment process
- European Food Safety Authority: Aspartame βEFSA aspartame evaluation and acceptable daily intake
- World Health Organization: Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results β2023 IARC hazard classification and JECFA risk assessment
Frequently Asked Questions about Aspartame
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E951
- INS Number
- 951
- Category
- Sweeteners
- Origin
- Synthetic
- FDA Status
- Approved
- EFSA Status
- Authorized
- ADI
- 40 mg/kg bw/day
- Dataset Review
- 2023
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Quick Links
Related Additives
Other sweeteners in the same family