Aspartame
Aspartame (E951) is an intense sweetener made from two amino acids, one of which is phenylalanine.
- Used in
- Food ingredient
- Role
- Sweetener
- E-number
- E951 · E962
Also listed as
Contains / relevant to
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): Relevant to people with PKU, who limit phenylalanine. Flags aspartame and other phenylalanine sources.
What to look for on labels
- In the EU it can also appear as E951 or E962.
Questions and answers
Is aspartame safe with phenylketonuria (PKU)?
Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine, which people with PKU have to limit. EU labels must say “contains a source of phenylalanine” and US labels carry a “Phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine” statement. Follow your PKU care team’s advice.
Why is aspartame on the label as E951?
E951 is the EU additive number for aspartame, so either name may appear in the ingredient list.
Related
- E951: AspartameE-number page: what the additive does and what to watch for.
- E962: Salt of aspartame-acesulfameE-number page: what the additive does and what to watch for.
- E-numbers explained: what food label codes meanGuide
Sources
Labels must state that the product contains a source of phenylalanine.
- EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex III
- US 21 CFR 172.804 (aspartame)
- IngrediLens ingredient database (names, flags and notes shown on this page)
Label information, not medical advice. This page describes how an ingredient is named and labelled and how IngrediLens flags it; it cannot tell you whether a product is safe for you. Always read the label on the product itself and follow the advice of your doctor, allergist or dermatologist. If someone shows signs of anaphylaxis, use their adrenaline auto-injector if they have one and call emergency services.
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