Is Acesulfame Potassium safe?

Question
Is Acesulfame Potassium safe?

Thanks!

David

Answer
Hello David,
Acesulfame K (potassium) has been approved as an artificial sweetener, by the FDA.  It was first approved in 1988 as a tabletop sweetener and was also called Sunett.  It is now approved for products such as baked goods, frozen desserts, candies, and, most recently, beverages. FDA has reaffirmed acesulfame K's safety on nine separate occasions by broadening its approval. A general use approval was grated by the FDA in December of 2003. More than 90 studies verify the sweetener's safety.
The Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the scientific advisory body to the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, reviewed the available research on acesulfame K and concluded that it is safe. JECFA has also established an ADI (adequate daily intake) of 15 mg/kg of body weight.

About 200 times sweeter than sugar and calorie free, acesulfame potassium often is combined with other sweeteners. One major beverage maker mixes acesulfame potassium with aspartame to sweeten one of its diet sodas. Worldwide, the sweetener is used in more than 4,000 products, according to its manufacturer, Nutrinova. Acesulfame potassium has excellent shelf life and does not break down when cooked or baked.

As with everything else in your diet any artificial sweetener should be used in moderation.  You can check out www.fda.gov for more information.
Kim Tessmer, RD LD
www.Nutrifocus.net  

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