EFSA confirms safety of aspartame-acesulfame salt sweetener

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed a re-evaluation of the food additive aspartame-acesulfame salt (E 962), concluding that its use does not pose safety concerns for human consumption. This synthetic sweetener, used in sugar-free and low-calorie foods and beverages, is up to 350 times sweeter than sugar and dissociates into its individual components, aspartame and acesulfame K, once ingested.

The EFSA findings are based on established acceptable daily intakes (ADI): 40 mg/kg of body weight for aspartame and a recently revised 15 mg/kg of body weight for acesulfame K. Current exposure estimates across all age groups remain below these safety thresholds.

Experts recommend updating EU specifications for E 962 to ensure compliance with the standards used for its component parts. Additionally, a review of arsenic and lead limits in aspartame (E 951) specifications has been recommended, consistent with the approach taken for other re-evaluated sweeteners.