Asesülfam K

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

An intense sweetener produced by chemical synthesis; it is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide.

Where it is used

Used as a sweetener in beverages, chewing gum, confectionery, dairy products, desserts, table-top sweeteners and energy-reduced products. It is authorised in the lists of EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives.

Health note

In its 2025 re-evaluation (EFSA Journal 2025;23(4):9317) EFSA established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 15 mg/kg body weight per day for acesulfame K, replacing the ADI of 9 mg/kg set by the SCF. The Panel reported no safety concern for the genotoxicity of acesulfame K and its degradation products; for the potential impurity 5-chloro-acesulfame a concern for genotoxicity was identified on the basis of in silico data, and a maximum limit of 0.1 mg/kg was recommended. The highest exposure estimate was generally below the ADI in all population groups.

Halal assessment

Production is entirely by chemical synthesis; no animal input is reported in the EFSA opinion. Consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.