E951: Aspartame
What is E951?
Aspartame is a low-calorie intense sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar. Labelled E951, it is a small molecule made of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, linked together with a methyl group.
Origin and production
It is manufactured by joining the two amino acids chemically or enzymatically; the amino acids themselves are usually produced by microbial fermentation.
Why is it used?
Aspartame provides sweetness with almost no calories, so it is used in diet and zero-sugar soft drinks, sugar-free chewing gum, powdered drink mixes, sweets and table-top sweeteners. It loses sweetness with prolonged heating, so it is less common in baked goods.
Vegan, vegetarian and halal
Aspartame contains no animal ingredients and is generally considered suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It is not associated with halal or kosher restrictions, though certified products are available.
Safety and regulation
Aspartame is authorised in the EU; EFSA's full re-evaluation in 2013 concluded it is safe at the established acceptable daily intake, and JECFA reaffirmed its ADI in 2023 after IARC classified it as 'possibly carcinogenic'. Because it contains phenylalanine, products must carry a warning for people with phenylketonuria.
Written by the Foodlas editorial team with AI assistance and checked against EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and EFSA scientific opinions. Last reviewed: October 14, 2026.
Sources: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 · EFSA — Food additives · Wikidata
Common in
Products containing E951
