Sweetener · EU 950
Acesulfame K
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Acesulfame K is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. The European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #100 of 417.
- #100 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Acesulfame K is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #100 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (76th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #100 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
How widely this ingredient shows up, and its regulatory record
Acesulfame K: 248 tracked U.S. products (common band, #100 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 248 · #100 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 950 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Sweetener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not in our EFSA data | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
Acesulfame K, explained
Acesulfame K is a food additive (950) classified as sweetener.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Safety of the proposed extension of use of acesulfame K -E 950- in foods for special medical purposes in young children. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (248 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 248
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acesulfame K safe to consume?
Acesulfame K scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (248 tracked products, #100 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Acesulfame K used for in food?
Acesulfame K shows up as Beverages, confectionery, baked goods in the Sweetener class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (248 products).
Where does Acesulfame K sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #100 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Acesulfame K?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Acesulfame K: EFSA evaluation: Safety of the proposed extension of use of acesulfame K -E 950- in foods for special medical purposes in young children. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.