What is E951?

Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener commonly used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages. It is 200 times sweeter than sucrose, and is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide with brand names NutraSweet, Equal, and Canderel. E951 sits in the E900–E999 series, which in the EU classification mainly covers glazing agents, gases and sweeteners.

What is E951 used for?

E951 belongs to the sweeteners group. Sweeteners (such as aspartame and sucralose) add sweetness with little or no calories. They are approved but widely discussed.

Is E951 safe?

E951 is rated “moderate”. It is approved for use in food, but some people prefer to limit it. Not suitable for people with phenylketonuria (PKU). “Moderate” means it is approved, but is debated or something some people prefer to limit.

How E951 appears on labels

On food packaging you'll find E951 either as the number “E951” or by the name “Aspartame” in the ingredient list, often after its function. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so an additive near the end is present only in small amounts.

Is E951 vegan?

Yes, E951 is suitable for vegans.