Acesulfame Potassium
Lower ConcernAlso known as
The concern
Limited long-term safety data. Animal studies suggest possible effects on insulin response and gut microbiome. WHO 2023 advises against non-sugar sweeteners for weight management.
What to look for on labels
This ingredient may appear under any of the following names or codes on product labels:
- Acesulfame Potassium
- acesulfame potassium
- acesulfame-k
- acesulfame k
- e950
- ace-k
Commonly found in
Diet drinks, sugar-free gum, low-calorie yogurts, snack bars
Other artificial sweeteners to know about
Aspartame
MEDIUMIARC classified aspartame as a Group 2B possible carcinogen in July 2023, noting limited evidence of liver cancer in humans.
Saccharin
LOWCaused bladder cancer in male rats at high doses, triggering a 1977 US ban that was later reversed.
Sucralose
MEDIUMWHO 2023 guidelines advise against non-sugar sweeteners.
Data sourced from IARC, FDA, EFSA, WHO and EWG public data. For informational purposes only. This does not constitute medical or legal advice.