E950 Acésulfame potassium, Acésulfame K
Acesulfame K is an intense synthetic sweetener with a sweetening power approximately 200 times that of sucrose. It is one of the 3 most widely used intense sweeteners in the food industry (along with sucralose and aspartame). It is used in foods with reduced calorie content or without added sugars. According to the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa), the potential risk of carcinogenicity of acesulfame K is ruled out. However, there is controversy surrounding the initial approval of this additive. Indeed, some researchers question the reliability of the studies taken into account. In any case, an opinion of the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses), published in 2015, concludes that the available studies do not prove that the consumption of sweeteners is of interest on weight control, nor on blood sugar control in diabetic subjects. At the very least, there is therefore no benefit to consuming intense sweeteners. Some studies even suggest that their consumption could promote weight gain (joint study INRA and University of Adelaide published in 2019). Finally, recent studies investigate the link between the consumption of intense sweeteners and the disturbance of the intestinal flora, leading to various metabolic imbalances.
Examples of products for use
Flavoured fermented milk products reduced in calories or with no added sugar, ice cream reduced in calories or with no added sugar, canned sweet and sour fruit or vegetables, canned fruit or vegetables reduced in calories or with no added sugar, non-compote fruit preparations with no added sugar, chocolate products reduced in calories or with no added sugar, certain confectionery reduced in calories or with no added sugar, sugar-free chewing gum, breakfast cereals reduced in calories or with no added sugar and with a fibre content higher than 15%, bakery products with no added sugar, table sweeteners, reduced-calorie soups, sauces, mustard, certain sandwich preparations, potato-based snacks, flavoured drinks reduced in calories or with no added sugar, fruit nectars reduced in calories or with no added sugar, certain alcoholic drinks, certain desserts reduced in calories or with no added sugar, certain food supplements, foods for special medical purposes, fruit spreads reduced in calories or with no added sugar, reduced-calorie beers, in particular.
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