What artificial sweetener do they use in Europe?

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 19 sweeteners are currently authorized for use in the European Union by the European Food Safety Authority. So, what artificial sweetener do they use in Europe, and what regulations govern these food additives?

Quick Summary

The European Union permits a variety of intense sweeteners and polyols, each identified by a unique E-number. All approvals are based on rigorous safety assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Key Points

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): This is the central regulatory body that authorizes all food additives, including sweeteners, for use across the EU based on rigorous safety assessments.
Diversity of Sweeteners: Europe uses a variety of intense sweeteners, both artificial (e.g., Aspartame, Sucralose) and naturally derived (e.g., Steviol Glycosides from stevia).
E-Numbers and Labelling: All EU-approved sweeteners are assigned a specific E-number (e.g., E951 for Aspartame), which must be displayed on product labels for consumer transparency.
Safety Re-evaluation: The EU has a programme for the systematic re-evaluation of all food additives to ensure they remain safe based on the latest scientific data.
Multiple Applications: Beyond providing sweetness, some additives like neohesperidine DC (E959) are used to enhance flavours and mask bitterness in food products.
Accepted Daily Intake (ADI): The safety of sweeteners is based on an ADI, which is the amount that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without adverse health effects, with a large safety margin.

The EU's Regulatory Body: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

In Europe, all food additives, including sweeteners, are subject to a strict authorization procedure regulated at the EU level. This process is overseen by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an independent agency that provides scientific advice and risk assessments to inform European legislation. The EFSA ensures that all permitted substances are safe for consumers and do not pose a health risk within established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) levels. A systematic re-evaluation programme is also in place to review all previously approved additives based on the latest scientific evidence. All sweeteners must also be clearly listed on product labels, either by their name or a specific E-number.

Key Artificial and Intense Sweeteners Used in Europe

The EU approves a wide variety of sweeteners. These are broadly categorized into non-nutritive, or intense, sweeteners and nutritive sweeteners, which include polyols or sugar alcohols.

Aspartame (E951)

One of the most well-known artificial sweeteners, aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is used in a vast range of food products, including diet soft drinks, chewing gum, dairy products, and tabletop sweeteners. Aspartame has undergone extensive safety evaluations by the EFSA, which reaffirmed its safety in 2013 at the established ADI of 40 mg/kg of body weight per day.

Sucralose (E955)

Derived from sucrose, sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than table sugar. It is highly stable under heat and across a wide range of pH conditions, making it suitable for use in baked goods and products requiring a longer shelf life. Sucralose was approved for use in the EU in 2004.

Acesulfame K (E950)

Acesulfame K is a potassium salt approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is often combined with other sweeteners, such as aspartame, to create a more sugar-like flavour profile and is frequently found in soft drinks, desserts, and chewing gum. The EFSA recently re-evaluated acesulfame K in 2025.

Steviol Glycosides (E960)

Often referred to as 'Stevia,' steviol glycosides are naturally-derived, intense sweeteners extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. They were approved for use in the EU in 2011 and are heat-stable, making them suitable for cooking and baking. Steviol glycosides provide a calorie-free, plant-based sweetening option.

Saccharin (E954)

Saccharin is one of the oldest and most widely used artificial sweeteners, known for its intense sweetness and heat stability. It is used in numerous food products, including tabletop sweeteners and chewing gum. The EFSA completed its re-evaluation of saccharin in 2024.

Neohesperidine DC (E959)

Derived from citrus, neohesperidine dihydrochalcone (NHDC) functions as both an intense sweetener and a flavour enhancer. Its sweetness has a slower onset and a lingering aftertaste, and it is also effective at masking bitter flavours. It has been approved in the EU since 1994.

Comparison Table: Common EU Sweeteners


Sweetener	E-Number	Sweetness (vs. sugar)	Common Uses	Key Properties
Aspartame	E951	~200x	Diet drinks, gum, dairy	Low-calorie, not heat-stable
Sucralose	E955	~600x	Baked goods, beverages, tabletop	Highly heat-stable
Acesulfame K	E950	~200x	Soft drinks, desserts, chewing gum	Often used in combination; heat-stable
Steviol Glycosides	E960	200-300x	Beverages, yogurts, baked goods	Natural origin (from stevia plant), heat-stable
Saccharin	E954	~200-700x	Tabletop sweeteners, drinks	Heat-stable
Neohesperidine DC	E959	~1500-1800x (threshold)	Flavour enhancer, masking agent	Derived from citrus, heat-stable, long-lasting sweetness
Erythritol	E968	~0.7x	Baked goods, beverages	Polyol (sugar alcohol)

Natural vs. Artificial Sweeteners in Europe

While the market often distinguishes between 'natural' and 'artificial' sweeteners, the EU regulates all as food additives. Some are synthetic (artificial), while others are extracted from natural sources (like steviol glycosides) or are sugar alcohols (polyols). All are assigned an E-number upon approval and must meet the same safety standards.

Intense (Non-Nutritive) Sweeteners: Examples include Aspartame (E951), Sucralose (E955), and Acesulfame K (E950), which provide significant sweetness with negligible calories.
Naturally-Sourced Intense Sweeteners: These include Steviol Glycosides (E960) derived from the stevia plant and Thaumatin (E957), a protein from the katemfe fruit.
Polyols (Sugar Alcohols): These have a sweet taste and fewer calories than sugar. Common examples include Erythritol (E968), Xylitol (E967), and Sorbitol (E420).

Conclusion: A Diverse and Highly Regulated Sweetener Market

Europe uses a diverse range of sweeteners, both artificial and natural in origin, all of which are subject to rigorous safety evaluations by the EFSA. The answer to what artificial sweetener is used in Europe is not a single one, but a group of carefully regulated substances, including aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame K, alongside natural derivatives like steviol glycosides. The mandatory labelling with E-numbers ensures transparency for consumers. Continuous re-evaluation and transparent regulation are key features of the European approach, providing a safe framework for the use of these popular sugar alternatives. For more detailed information on specific additives, consult the official data on the EFSA website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, aspartame (E951) is still authorized for use as a food additive in the European Union. The EFSA reaffirmed its safety in 2013 after a comprehensive risk assessment, concluding it is safe for the general population at current levels of exposure.

Yes, steviol glycosides (E960), the sweeteners derived from the stevia plant, were approved by the European Commission in 2011. They are a popular naturally-sourced, calorie-free sweetener used in many food and beverage products.

All food products sold in the EU must list sweeteners on the label, either by their full name (e.g., sucralose) or by their E-number (e.g., E955). Foods containing sweeteners must also carry the phrase 'with sweetener(s)' next to the product name.

The EU distinguishes between 'intense' (non-nutritive) sweeteners and polyols, or sugar alcohols. While both are sugar substitutes, polyols like erythritol (E968) are not classified as intense artificial sweeteners, though they are still regulated food additives.

While there is significant overlap, the list of approved sweeteners is not identical between the EU and the US. Each region has its own independent regulatory process and list of authorized substances, based on local assessments.

An E-number is a code assigned to a food additive that has been approved for use across the European Union. It signifies that the additive has passed safety tests and is authorized for use in specific food categories.

Yes, the EFSA maintains a continuous re-evaluation programme for all food additives, including sweeteners, to account for new scientific data. Several sweeteners, like Sucralose (E955), are currently undergoing or have recently completed this process.

According to the EFSA, aspartame and other EU-approved sweeteners are safe for the general population, which includes pregnant women, when consumed within the established ADI. However, individuals with specific metabolic conditions like phenylketonuria must avoid aspartame.

Yes, the European Commission sets maximum permitted levels for each authorized sweetener in specific food categories. This is done to ensure consumer exposure remains well below the safe Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI).