E954: Saccharin and its salts

What is E954?

E954 covers saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts, the oldest artificial sweetener still in widespread use. It is roughly 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar, provides essentially no calories, and some people notice a slightly bitter or metallic aftertaste.

Origin and production

Saccharin was discovered in 1879 and is produced entirely by chemical synthesis, traditionally starting from compounds derived from toluene or phthalic anhydride. It is not extracted from any plant or animal source.

Why is it used?

Saccharin is used to sweeten foods and drinks without sugar, often blended with other sweeteners such as cyclamate or acesulfame K to improve the taste. It is typical of diet soft drinks, tabletop sweetener tablets, some dietary supplements and other reduced-sugar products.

Vegan, vegetarian and halal

E954 is synthetic and contains no animal-derived material, so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It is generally regarded as unproblematic for halal and kosher diets, though specific products may carry their own certification.

Safety and regulation

Saccharin is authorised as a sweetener in the European Union, and EFSA re-evaluated it in 2024, concluding that it is not a safety concern at the authorised uses. It is also permitted in the United States and many other countries.

Common in