Acesulfame k (E950)

Acesulfame k (E950) is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Acesulfame K is a synthetic sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar, often combined with aspartame or sucralose.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Sweetener: Sweeteners are substances used to impart a sweet taste to foods or in table-top sweeteners.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

More about acesulfame k (E950) on Wikidata

Where it turns up

Acesulfame k (E950) appears in 983 of the 40,000 products on this site (2%).

Protein shakes 59 of 157 products
Diet cola soft drink 58 of 67 products
Sodas 58 of 612 products
Sugar-free chewing gum 55 of 76 products
Energy drinks 53 of 278 products
Artificially sweetened beverages 36 of 525 products

Products containing acesulfame k (E950)

Showing the 60 most popular of 983.

How the NOVA classification works