Acesulfame Potassium
This is what the ingredient is.
Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) is an artificial sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Discovered in 1967. Often blended with other sweeteners.
Here is why it shows up on the label.
High-intensity non-nutritive sweetener used in beverages, baked goods, and desserts. Heat-stable and often combined with other sweeteners to mask aftertaste.
Here is what food agencies say.
The FDA approved it in 1988 with a suggested daily limit of about 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Europe sets a suggested daily limit of about 9 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. It is approved in the US, Europe, and Canada., and over 100 countries.
Here is what research has found.
Safety evaluated through 90 studies before FDA approval. Not metabolized - excreted unchanged in urine. Some researchers call for more long-term human studies. EFSA re-evaluated safety in 2017.
Here are a few things worth knowing.
Generally well-tolerated. Some animal studies suggest potential concerns at very high doses, though not confirmed in humans. May affect gut microbiome according to preliminary research. Not absorbed or metabolized by the body.
Sources
- FDA 21 CFR 172.800
- EFSA Re-evaluation 2017
- Food Chemical Toxicology 2017
How to read this page
We publish plain facts about this ingredient so a label is easier to read. This is not medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, avoid, or use anything. For a personal health question, talk with a clinician who knows your history.