Sweeteners
Intense sweeteners (E950–E969) provide sweetness at far lower concentrations than sucrose, enabling reduced-calorie foods. They include acesulfame K (E950), aspartame (E951), saccharin (E954), sucralose (E955), stevia glycosides (E960), and neotame (E961). Each has a distinct safety profile and regulatory history: saccharin was the subject of a major US cancer scare in the 1970s before being delisted; aspartame became the focus of renewed controversy following an IARC Group 2B classification in 2023 that JECFA simultaneously declined to revise the ADI for. Cyclamate (E952) represents one of the most striking regulatory divergences — banned in the USA since 1969, approved in the EU and over 130 countries.
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
All Sweeteners (19 additives)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is cyclamate (E952) banned in the USA but approved in Europe?
Cyclamate was banned in the USA in 1969 following a study showing bladder tumours in rats given extremely high doses. The FDA has not reversed this decision despite subsequent research suggesting the metabolite cyclohexylamine, rather than cyclamate itself, was responsible and that the doses used were not relevant to human exposure. JECFA and EFSA have repeatedly reviewed cyclamate and established ADI values of 7 mg/kg body weight/day, and it remains approved in over 130 countries including all EU member states.
Is aspartame (E951) carcinogenic?
In July 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B) — a classification indicating limited evidence from human studies, not a conclusion that aspartame causes cancer. Simultaneously, JECFA reviewed the same evidence and declined to revise the existing ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight/day, concluding the evidence was insufficient to change the safety threshold. EFSA and FDA also maintained their approval positions. The IARC classification is a hazard identification exercise, not a risk assessment.
Does stevia have regulatory approval in all countries?
Steviol glycosides (E960) were approved in the EU in 2011, the USA in 2008 (as GRAS), and by JECFA in 2008 with an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight/day. Japan has used stevia extracts since the 1970s. Prior to 2008, stevia was in a regulatory grey zone in the USA and banned in the EU as a novel food — reflecting how a substance long used in traditional food cultures can face long approval timelines under modern regulatory frameworks.