Saccharin
The short version
The original synthetic intense sweetener — 300–500x sucrose, with a long and contested safety history.
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
JECFA set a group ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight in 1993. In 2024 EFSA set a higher ADI of 9 mg/kg body weight per day, replacing the 5 mg/kg (as sodium saccharin) set by the EU Scientific Committee on Food in 1995. 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.
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts (E 954) as food additives, plain-language summary (15 November 2024; EFSA Journal 2024;22(11):9044) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2024. EFSA ADI raised to 9 mg/kg bw (replacing SCF 1995 value); no safety concern
- WHO JECFA database — Saccharin (INS 954), evaluation 1993 (41st meeting) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1993. JECFA group ADI 0–5 mg/kg bw
- FDA — Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food (content current as of 27 Feb 2025) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025. US warning label no longer required after 2000 NTP decision
- Health Canada — Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Sweeteners to Enable the Use of Saccharin, Calcium Saccharin, Potassium Saccharin and Sodium Saccharin as Sweeteners in Various Unstandardized Foods (NOM/ADM-0026, effective 24 April 2014) — Health Canada, 2014. Canada re-permitted saccharin in foods in 2014
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.