The use of aspartame-acesulfame salt (E 962) as a food additive is safe at current exposure levels. This is the conclusion reached by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), following the re-evaluation of this sweetener used in various foods and beverages with no added sugar or with reduced energy content.
Once ingested, E 962 dissociates into its components aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame K (E 950). EFSA experts have not found any safety problems associated with the uses and levels of use of these last two either.
The European Food Safety Authority’s conclusion is based on the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame, previously set at 40 mg/kg body weight per day and now reconfirmed, as well as on the ADI for acesulfame K, recently revised to 15 mg/kg body weight per day. The current exposure estimates for all age groups remain below these ADIs.
EFSA makes two recommendations:
- update the EU specifications for aspartame-acesulfame salt to ensure its compliance with the specifications for aspartame and acesulfame K used in its production;
- review the limits for arsenic and lead in the specifications for aspartame.
