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What is Acesulfame potassium (E950)?

Last updated on: 12/26/2025

Sources: WHO, US-FDA, EFSA, FSSAI.

8

/10

Low Concern

Generally safe when used within regulatory limits. Approved by all major regulatory authorities.

CTL SAFETY SCORE

A higher score reflects higher confidence in safety; it is based on regulatory approvals, intake limits, and individual sensitivities data.

Acesulfame potassium is a high-intensity, zero/low-calorie artificial sweetener used in small amounts to sweeten products like soft drinks, desserts, and sugar-free foods.

Safety Summary

  • FDA allows it as a general-purpose sweetener and flavor enhancer under current good manufacturing practice, except in meat and poultry.

  • No specific sensitivity groups or concerns identified under approved usage limits.
  • WHO/JECFA set an ADI of 0–15 mg/kg body weight/day.

Who should be cautious?

None identified by EFSA under dietary exposure

Quick Facts

E-Number :

E950

INS Number :

INS-950

Category :

Sweetener

Sub-category :

Flavour Enhancer

Origin :

Synthetic

Used In :

Food

Alternative Names :

950, Ace-K, Acesulfame-K

Similar Ingredients :

Aspartame (E951), Sucralose (E955), Saccharin (E954), Neotame (E961)

Common Products

You may find it in the following products:

  • Diet drinks,
  • Syrups (e.g. xylose, maple syrup, sugar toppings),
  • Cold drinks,
  • Candies,
  • Food supplements,
  • Jams, jellies,
  • frozen foods etc.

Regulatory Approval.

1. Food and drug administration (fDA – USA)

Status
Usage Limit

Approved (GRAS under Good Manufacturing Practice)

Used in food consistent with Good Manufacturing Practice; no specific numerical limit beyond GMP.

2. European Food Safety authority (eFSA)

Status
Usage Limit

Approved

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): 15 mg/kg body weight/day

3. Food safety and standardization authority India (FSSAI)

Status
Usage Limit

Approved (subject to specified maximum levels in food categories)

Permitted in defined food categories; category-wise maximum use levels (mg/kg or mg/L) listed in FSSAI schedules (aligned with Codex/Food Regulation limits)

Health concerns

  • EFSA found no safety concern for acesulfame K itself at authorized uses and exposure levels.
  • No genotoxicity or carcinogenicity concern was identified for the parent compound.
  • EFSA, in its 2025 re-evaluation, identified the potential presence of 5-chloro-acesulfame in E950 and the lack of experimental data regarding the genotoxicity of this impurity but did not overall consider it to affect the conclusions on safety.

  • The main concern with acesulfame K is overconsumption from frequent “diet/sugar-free” products, which may push intake closer to the daily recommended limit, especially in children with high beverage intake, but no direct health risks have been identified at authorized use levels.

Conclusions

CTL keeps acesulfame potassium (E950) in low concern category, as it is a widely approved artificial sweetener. When used within permitted limits and typical dietary patterns, it is considered safe. The main practical caution is excessive combined intake from many sugar-free items, especially for children.

Q: Did EFSA find acesulfame K to be safe?
A: Yes. EFSA concluded that acesulfame K does not pose a safety concern at authorized use levels and that exposure is below the ADI.

Q: What ADI did EFSA and WHO establish?
A: EFSA and WHO established an ADI of 15 mg/kg body weight per day.

Q: Did EFSA identify any concerns?
A: EFSA noted a potential genotoxicity alert for the impurity 5-chloro-acesulfame and recommended controlling this impurity in specifications.

References

Food And Drugs Administration (US FDA)

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

Food Safety And Standardization India (FSSAI)

WHO, Codex And Others