Back to catalogSafety
E954SweetenerModerate concern
Saccharin
In plain words
The short version
The original synthetic intense sweetener — 300–500x sucrose, with a long and contested safety history.
Why we flag it amber
It's permitted and generally considered safe, but there are a few reasons to be mindful — like sensitivities in some people, debated studies, or intake limits. The Safety section below explains the specifics.
Safety profile
ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight. In the 1970s, rat studies linked very high doses to bladder cancer, prompting US warning labels — these were removed in 2000 after subsequent research established the mechanism as rat-specific (rodent-specific urinary proteins). Currently considered safe by JECFA, FDA, and EFSA at normal use levels.
The detail
Educational information only. Not medical or dietary advice.