Sweetener · CAS 22839-47-0 · EU E951
Aspartame
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Aspartame is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #43 of 417.
- #43 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Aspartame is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #43 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (90th percentile).
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- Approved
- FDA status
- #43 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Aspartame: 1,297 tracked U.S. products (common band, #43 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 1,297 · #43 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E951 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 22839-47-0 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Sweetener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | 40 | 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.
What is Aspartame?
Artificial sweetener 200x sweeter than sugar.
Health Concerns
- WHO/IARC classified as "possibly carcinogenic" (Group 2B) in 2023. FDA maintains it is safe.
Common Uses
Regulatory Timeline
IARC classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic."
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (1,297 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 1,297
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aspartame safe to consume?
Aspartame scores 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (1,297 tracked products, #43 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Aspartame used for in food?
Aspartame shows up as Diet soda, sugar-free gum, yogurt, tabletop sweeteners in the Sweetener class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (1,297 products).
Where does Aspartame sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #43 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Aspartame?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Aspartame: WHO/IARC classified as "possibly carcinogenic" (Group 2B) in 2023. FDA maintains it is safe.. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.