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.