E961 Neotame

E961SweetenersOrigin: Lab-made

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VeganYes

Gluten-freeYes

HalalYes

KosherYes

KetoYes

Zero carbs; used in tiny amounts.

Low-FODMAPYes

The short answer

Neotame (E961) is a synthetic sweetener made from aspartame and about 10,000 times sweeter than sugar. It's approved and used in tiny amounts, but there's little independent long-term research on it.

62/100

Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE961

Comes fromLab-made

What it doesSweeteners

Glycemic index0

Daily limit2 mg/kg

Also calledNeotame, Newtame

Sweeten without synthetic sweeteners

Clean-label swaps

Clean grocery swap

Sodas sweetened with stevia

Zero-sugar drinks without neotame, aspartame or sucralose.

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Clean substitute

Pure monk fruit extract

No erythritol or synthetic sweeteners blended in.

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Health store

Unsweetened flavored sparkling water

Fruit flavor with no sweetener at all.

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved with limits

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits

CaliforniaNo extra rules

Approved by the FDA in 2002 and the EU in 2010. EFSA set a daily limit of 2 mg per kg of body weight. Unlike aspartame, it doesn't need a phenylketonuria warning, because so little is used.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

Body weight: 70 kg

140 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 2 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 40 mg a day.

What is it?

Neotame is a chemical cousin of aspartame that's far sweeter and more heat-stable. Because a pinch sweetens a whole batch, it's used mostly in blends and to round out other sweeteners, and rarely appears in large amounts.

Where it comes from: Made in a lab from aspartame and a chemical called 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde.

Why it’s in food

Sweetens with almost no calories
Masks bitterness of other sweeteners in blends
Survives baking better than aspartame
Cuts cost because so little is needed

Often found in

Diet drinksSweetener blendsFlavored waterChewing gumYogurtBaked goods

Also listed as: Neotame, Newtame

Health & gut impact

Safety reviewUnder study

EFSA found it safe within the daily limit. Most safety data came from the manufacturer.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2007)

Non-sugar sweetenersUnder study

The WHO advises against relying on non-sugar sweeteners for weight control, citing possible long-term risks.

WHO Guideline on Non-sugar Sweeteners (2023)

What can I use instead?

Stevia

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Drinks and yogurt

Monk fruit

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Drinks and baking

More sweeteners:

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) E950Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, E950) is a zero-calorie sweetener approved in the US, EU and Canada. EFSA re-checked it in 2025 and raised its daily limit. It's usually paired with sucralose or aspartame to hide a slightly bitter aftertaste.Use in moderation AlluloseAllulose is a "rare sugar" that tastes like sugar but has almost no calories and doesn't raise blood sugar. It's keto-friendly and browns like real sugar in baking.Generally safe Aspartame E951Aspartame (E951) is a zero-calorie sweetener in diet soda. It's approved, but WHO's cancer agency called it "possibly carcinogenic" in 2023, and people with PKU must avoid it.Use in moderation Erythritol E968Erythritol (E968) is a zero-calorie sugar alcohol popular in keto foods. A 2023 study linked high blood levels to heart risk, and large amounts can upset your stomach.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is Neotame safe?

Use in moderation (62/100). Approved by the FDA in 2002 and the EU in 2010. EFSA set a daily limit of 2 mg per kg of body weight. Unlike aspartame, it doesn't need a phenylketonuria warning, because so little is used.

Is Neotame vegan?

Yes.

Is Neotame gluten-free?

Yes.

Is neotame the same as aspartame?

No, but it's made from aspartame. Neotame is about 30 to 60 times sweeter than aspartame, so far less is used.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 172.829 (US FDA)
EFSA OpenFoodTox: E961
EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2007)
WHO Guideline on Non-sugar Sweeteners (2023)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 961 · CAS 165450-17-9