What artificial sweetener is used in the UK?

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the British Soft Drinks Association, there are over a dozen different types of sweeteners licensed for use in the UK. These non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) provide sweetness with few to no calories and are used extensively in low-sugar foods and drinks across the country.

Quick Summary

A range of approved non-sugar sweeteners, including sucralose, aspartame, stevia, and acesulfame K, are used in the UK to reduce sugar content in many products. All are rigorously assessed for safety by authorities like the Food Standards Agency.

Key Points

Sucralose and Aspartame: These are two of the most prevalent artificial sweeteners in the UK, used widely in diet drinks and other low-calorie products.
Steviol Glycosides (Stevia): A naturally derived, high-intensity sweetener, stevia is a popular choice for those seeking a plant-based sugar alternative.
Rigorous Safety Assessment: All sweeteners in the UK must pass stringent safety evaluations by regulatory bodies like the Food Standards Agency.
E-Number Labelling: Approved sweeteners are identified by their E-number on ingredient lists, ensuring transparency for consumers.
Specific Usage Cases: Some sweeteners, like heat-stable sucralose and acesulfame K, are ideal for baking, while others are better for beverages.
ADI Limits: Acceptable Daily Intake levels are set for each sweetener to ensure safety, even for long-term consumption.

Approved Artificial Sweeteners in the UK

In the UK, the use of sweeteners is strictly regulated by legislation, with the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and previously the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) overseeing safety assessments. Currently, there are several key artificial and non-sugar sweeteners permitted for use in a wide variety of food and drink products. These are often identified by their E-number on ingredient lists.

Aspartame (E951)

One of the most well-known and widely used artificial sweeteners, aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Despite past controversies and ongoing debates, it is endorsed as safe by the FSA for the general population, with the exception of individuals with the rare genetic condition phenylketonuria (PKU), who must avoid it. It is commonly used in diet drinks, chewing gum, and other sugar-free products.

Sucralose (E955)

Sucralose, sold under brand names like Splenda, is a non-caloric sweetener derived from sugar. It is around 600 times sweeter than sucrose and is stable at high temperatures, making it suitable for baking and cooking. Its approval in the UK dates back to 2002. Sucralose is a popular choice for granulated and tablet sweeteners, as well as in many processed foods.

Acesulfame K (E950)

Also known as acesulfame potassium, acesulfame K is another high-intensity, zero-calorie sweetener. It is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and is often combined with other sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose to mask its slightly bitter aftertaste and achieve a more balanced flavour profile. Its heat stability makes it a versatile ingredient for baking and products with long shelf lives.

Saccharin (E954)

One of the oldest artificial sweeteners, saccharin has been in use for over a century. It is 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar but is known for a metallic aftertaste, especially at higher concentrations. Like acesulfame K, it is often blended with other sweeteners to improve taste. UK regulators consider it safe for consumption within its acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels.

Steviol Glycosides (E960)

Often referred to as 'stevia,' these are natural, non-caloric sweeteners extracted and purified from the leaves of the stevia plant. They are 200 to 400 times sweeter than sugar and are increasingly popular due to their natural origin. Only highly purified steviol glycosides are approved for use in the UK, not the crude leaf extracts. A recent UK approval expansion in 2024 allowed for new stevia ingredients produced via bioconversion.

A Comparison of Common UK Sweeteners


Sweetener Name	E-Number	Origin	Sweetness (vs Sugar)	Common Uses	Heat Stability	Aftertaste (if any)
Aspartame	E951	Artificial	Approx. 200x	Diet drinks, chewing gum, desserts	Poor	Minimal, can taste like sugar
Sucralose	E955	Artificial	Approx. 600x	Baking, soft drinks, tablet sweeteners	High	No noticeable aftertaste
Acesulfame K	E950	Artificial	Approx. 200x	Soft drinks (blended), baked goods	High	Can have a bitter aftertaste
Saccharin	E954	Artificial	300-500x	Table-top sweeteners (blended), medicines	High	Metallic or bitter aftertaste
Steviol Glycosides	E960	Natural (plant-based)	200-400x	Soft drinks, confectionery, natural products	High	Clean taste, but sometimes licorice-like

How Sweeteners Are Regulated and Labelled in the UK

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for regulating the safety of food additives, including all sweeteners. Any sweetener used must undergo rigorous safety assessments before it can be used in food and drink products. This includes establishing an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), which is the maximum amount considered safe for daily consumption over a lifetime. For example, the ADI for aspartame is 40mg per kilogram of body weight per day.

All products containing sweeteners must be clearly labelled. Food packaging must state that the product contains 'sweetener(s)' or 'sugar and sweetener(s)' near the product name. In the ingredients list, the specific name or E-number of the sweetener must be shown. This transparency allows consumers to make informed choices, particularly those with conditions like PKU who must avoid specific sweeteners. The UK has a robust system to ensure that the sweeteners available to consumers are safe and appropriately labelled, ensuring public confidence in the food supply chain. For more on UK food safety, visit the Food Standards Agency website.

Conclusion

Numerous artificial and natural non-sugar sweeteners are approved and widely used in the UK, each with its own characteristics and uses. Common examples include aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K, saccharin, and steviol glycosides. These are rigorously tested and regulated by bodies like the Food Standards Agency to ensure they are safe for consumption within established daily intake limits. Their use in food and drink has grown significantly, particularly since the introduction of the Soft Drink Industry Levy, as manufacturers seek to reduce sugar content. By understanding the different types and how they are regulated, consumers can make informed choices about their food and drink purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sweeteners legally permitted in the UK include Acesulfame-K (E950), Advantame, Aspartame (E951), Cyclamate, Neohesperidine Dihydrochalcone, Neotame, Saccharin (E954), Steviol Glycosides (E960), Sucralose (E955), and Thaumatin.

Yes, regulatory bodies like the Food Standards Agency consider aspartame safe for consumption at permitted levels, with the exception of individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU).

Yes, steviol glycosides (commonly known as stevia) are approved for use as a food additive in the UK. Only highly purified extracts are permitted, not whole stevia leaves.

Food products containing sweeteners in the UK must clearly state 'with sweetener(s)' on the packaging. The specific sweetener, along with its E-number, must also be listed in the ingredients.

In the UK, all low- and no-calorie sweeteners, regardless of whether they are artificial or from a natural source, must undergo the same rigorous safety assessment and gain approval from the relevant food safety authorities.

An Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is set for each approved sweetener, which is the maximum amount considered safe for daily consumption over a person's lifetime. For example, the ADI for aspartame is 40mg per kg of body weight per day.

While many approved sweeteners are common worldwide, regulatory details like approved additives and specific usage levels can vary slightly. Approvals are based on assessments by national bodies, like the UK's FSA.