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E951SweetenerModerate concern
Aspartame
In plain words
The short version
An intense low-calorie sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sucrose, used in diet beverages.
Why we flag it amber
A low-calorie sweetener. It's approved and fine for most people, but those with the rare condition PKU must avoid it, and in 2023 the WHO's cancer agency listed it as 'possibly carcinogenic' — a weak, debated classification. Those open questions are why we flag it.
Safety profile
ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight (EU). In 2023 the IARC classified aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic' (Group 2B), while JECFA reaffirmed the ADI. People with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it since it contains phenylalanine — explicit warning labels are mandatory.
The detail
Educational information only. Not medical or dietary advice.