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Ingredient register

Aspartame

Limit Allergen Food and drink E951 INS E951 CAS 22839-47-0

Decode Label flags Aspartame as a moderate concern in food and drink (allergen). It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.

The concern

Artificial sweetener — contraindicated in phenylketonuria (PKU)

Aspartame contains phenylalanine and is absolutely contraindicated for people with phenylketonuria (PKU). In July 2023, IARC classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B), though JECFA maintained its ADI. People with PKU must strictly avoid it; others should consume in moderation.

Most relevant to

People with phenylketonuria (PKU) Anyone eating this regularly

Cited authority

IARC/JECFA Joint Statement July 2023; FSSAI

Not found in this catalogue

0 of 893 published products Decode Label has analysed list Aspartame or any of its label synonyms. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole. If a product we score lists it, it will appear here and its score will reflect it.

Hazard classification

IARC IARC Group 2B Carcinogen route: oral

Identity

Canonical name
Aspartame
CAS number
22839-47-0
E number
E951
INS number
E951

Also appears on labels as

Aspartyl Phenylalanine Methyl Ester NutraSweet Equal

Questions

Is Aspartame safe?

IARC: IARC Group 2B. Why it is flagged: Artificial sweetener — contraindicated in phenylketonuria (PKU). Decode Label treats it as a moderate concern in food and drink. It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.

How common is Aspartame in Indian packaged products?

Decode Label has not found Aspartame in any of the 893 published products analysed so far. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole.

Which authorities have classified Aspartame?

IARC — IARC Group 2B.

Who should be most careful with Aspartame?

People with phenylketonuria (PKU); Anyone eating this regularly.

Related ingredients

Other entries in the register with the same kind of concern.

Peanuts Sulphur Dioxide Wheat Flour

Method and limits

  • Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 893 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
  • Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
  • A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
  • No regulatory rows. This substance is not matched in our regulatory warehouse, so the concern above rests on the cited authority alone.
  • Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 28 September 2026.
  • Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.