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E962 Aspartame-acesulfame salt

E962SweetenersOrigin: Lab-made
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The short answer
Aspartame-acesulfame salt (E962) is a blend of two synthetic sweeteners used in diet drinks and tabletop products. It has no calories, but it carries a warning for people with phenylketonuria.
Use in moderation

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

E-numberE962
Comes fromLab-made
What it doesSweeteners
Glycemic index0
Daily limitNot set
Also calledAspartame-acesulfame, Aspartame acesulfame salt

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Approved in the EU, US and Canada through its two component sweeteners. Because aspartame contains phenylalanine, the label must carry a phenylketonuria warning.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

Aspartame and acesulfame K are both many times sweeter than sugar. Blending them in a salt gives a sweeter, rounder taste, and the two can cover each other's aftertaste.

Where it comes from: A salt made by combining two synthetic sweeteners, aspartame and acesulfame K. Neither is made from plant or animal sources.

Why it’s in food

  • Sweetens diet drinks without sugar
  • Covers the aftertaste of single sweeteners
  • Gives low-calorie desserts a sugar-like taste
  • Used in tabletop sweetener blends

Often found in

Diet sodasTabletop sweetener packetsSugar-free yogurtsLow-calorie dessertsSugar-free gum

Also listed as: Aspartame-acesulfame, Aspartame acesulfame salt, E962

Health & gut impact

PhenylketonuriaConcern

Aspartame contains phenylalanine. People with phenylketonuria must avoid it, and the label is required to say so.

EFSA Journal 2013 (aspartame)

What can I use instead?

Sucralose

Ratio: Use package directions

Best for: Baking and sweetened drinks

Stevia

Ratio: Use package directions

Best for: Tea and coffee

Related

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 moderationAdvantame E969Advantame (E969) is an extremely intense sweetener related to aspartame. Regulators approve it, and the amount in a food is tiny next to the daily limit. It does not carry aspartame's phenylalanine warning at normal use.Generally safeAlluloseAllulose 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 safeAspartame 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

Common questions

Is E962 safe for people with diabetes?

It contains no sugar and adds no carbohydrate, but people with phenylketonuria must avoid it because of the aspartame.

What does the phenylketonuria warning mean?

It means the product contains phenylalanine, which people with phenylketonuria cannot break down safely.

Is Aspartame-acesulfame salt safe?

Use in moderation (58/100). Approved in the EU, US and Canada through its two component sweeteners. Because aspartame contains phenylalanine, the label must carry a phenylketonuria warning.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E962
  • EFSA Journal 2013 (aspartame)

INS 962