E961 · Neotame
- WHO
- Safe in moderation
- FDA
- Safe in moderation
- EFSA
- Safe in moderation
- FSANZ
- Safe in moderation
- Japan
- Safe in moderation
- UK FSA
- Safe in moderation
- Health Canada
- Safe in moderation
What is E961?
Neotame is an artificial sweetener chemically related to aspartame but far more potent, roughly 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sucrose. It is heat-stable, making it suitable for baking, and unlike aspartame it does not require a phenylalanine warning label because it is not metabolized into significant amounts of free phenylalanine. EFSA and the FDA consider it safe within established acceptable daily intake levels.
Also appears on labels as: Neotame, E961, E 961, E-961, Neotame sweetener, Aspartame derivative, Neotame DS, Neotame 25, High-intensity sweetener Neotame, INS 961, Neotamas, NeotamA.
What the evidence says
- Generally recognized as safe at typical use levels; long-term human data are more limited than for older sweeteners simply because it is newer and used in smaller quantities.
- As with other high-intensity sweeteners, some evidence suggests possible effects on gut microbiota, though this is not conclusively established in humans.
Frequently asked questions
Is E961 safe?
Our overall verdict for E961 (Neotame) is “Safe in moderation”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: safe in moderation; WHO: safe in moderation; EFSA: safe in moderation; FSANZ: safe in moderation; Japan: safe in moderation; UK FSA: safe in moderation; Health Canada: safe in moderation.
Is E961 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Neotame — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E961 and why is it used?
Neotame is an artificial sweetener chemically related to aspartame but far more potent, roughly 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sucrose. It is heat-stable, making it suitable for baking, and unlike aspartame it does not require a phenylalanine warning label because it is not metabolized into significant amounts of free phenylalanine. EFSA and the FDA consider it safe within established acceptable daily intake levels.
Does E961 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Neotame.
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This page summarises publicly available regulatory assessments and research. It is general information, not medical advice. Sources: EFSA, FDA, WHO and the studies linked above.