What E950 actually is
Acesulfame K is rarely used alone, because on its own it has a slightly bitter metallic finish. Blended with aspartame or sucralose, the combination tastes cleaner and more sugar-like than either does separately. That is why the ingredient list on a diet drink usually names two or three sweeteners rather than one.
What it is made from
Synthesised chemically. It is not derived from any plant or animal source.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Fully synthetic with no animal-derived input, so it suits vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher diets.
Is E950 safe?
Approved in the EU, UK, US, and most other markets, with an EFSA acceptable daily intake of 9 mg per kg of body weight per day. Unlike aspartame it is heat-stable, so it works in baking. It is excreted unchanged in urine without being metabolised. Some campaigners have questioned the age and quality of the original 1970s safety studies, and EFSA began a re-evaluation, but no regulator has restricted it.
- Excreted unchanged without being metabolised
- Bitter metallic aftertaste on its own, which is why it is blended
- The original safety dossier dates from the 1970s and has drawn criticism on study quality, though no regulator has acted on it
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Acceptable daily intake of 9 mg per kg of body weight per day. Re-evaluation of the older dossier has been undertaken.
- FDA (US)
- Approved as a general-purpose sweetener.
Foods it turns up in
- Diet and zero soft drinks
- Sugar-free chewing gum and mints
- Protein products and yoghurt
- Sugar-free desserts and baked goods
Names it hides behind
- E950
- Acesulfame K
- Acesulfame potassium
- Ace-K
- Sweetener (E950)
Common questions
- Why is acesulfame K always with another sweetener?
- On its own it has a bitter metallic aftertaste. Blended with aspartame or sucralose the combination tastes much closer to sugar.
- Is acesulfame K safe?
- It is approved worldwide with a set intake limit and is excreted unchanged. Criticism has focused on the age and quality of the original 1970s studies rather than on new evidence of harm.
- Is acesulfame K vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is entirely synthetic with no animal-derived input.
- Can acesulfame K be baked?
- Yes. Unlike aspartame it is heat-stable, which is why it appears in sugar-free baked goods.
- Does acesulfame K contain potassium?
- Yes, it is a potassium salt, but the amounts used are so small that the potassium contribution is negligible.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
Related
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.