What Foods Contain Aspartame? A Comprehensive Guide

November 16, 2025 •

3 min read

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, is found in over 6,000 food and beverage products worldwide. Many people consume this low-calorie sugar substitute daily, often without realizing it. Understanding what foods contain aspartame is crucial for individuals monitoring their intake, especially those with specific health conditions like phenylketonuria.

Quick Summary

This guide details the common food and beverage categories containing aspartame, identifies specific product examples, and explains where to find this ingredient on labels. It also provides a comparison of aspartame to other popular artificial sweeteners and addresses common questions about consumption.

Key Points

Diet Sodas: Aspartame is a primary sweetener in most major brands of diet and zero-sugar soft drinks, including Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, and Sprite Zero.
Sugar-Free Products: Many low-calorie and sugar-free items, such as chewing gum, flavored yogurts, gelatins, and puddings, contain aspartame.
Tabletop Sweeteners: Brands like Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel are direct sources of aspartame used as a sugar substitute in beverages and other foods.
Hidden Sources: Less obvious products, including some reduced-sugar condiments, powdered drink mixes, and even certain medications and vitamins, may also contain the sweetener.
Labeling is Key: Consumers should always check the ingredient label for the terms 'aspartame' or 'E951' to confirm its presence in a product.
Phenylketonuria Warning: Products with aspartame must carry a warning for individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria, as they cannot metabolize phenylalanine.

Aspartame in Beverages

Diet and zero-sugar sodas are perhaps the most well-known category of products containing aspartame. These beverages rely on the intense sweetness of aspartame to mimic the taste of regular, sugar-laden sodas without the calories. Many popular brands feature aspartame as a key ingredient in their diet formulations.

Diet Soft Drinks: This includes products such as Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, Sprite Zero, and Diet Dr. Pepper. For fountain sodas, a mix of sweeteners may be used due to the shelf life of aspartame in a liquid concentrate.
Drink Mixes: Powdered drink mixes for at-home preparation, like Crystal Light and Wyler's Light, are common sources.
Flavored Waters: Some flavored and sparkling water beverages marketed as 'sugar-free' or 'zero-calorie' contain aspartame to enhance their taste.
Iced Teas and Juices: Certain brands of bottled iced teas and low-calorie juice products also use aspartame as a sweetening agent.

Sugar-Free and Low-Calorie Foods

Beyond beverages, aspartame is incorporated into a vast array of processed food products to reduce sugar and calorie content. These items are often marketed towards dieters or those managing diabetes.

Yogurts: Many light, low-fat, or zero-calorie flavored yogurts contain aspartame. Examples include Muller Light and certain varieties from other major brands.
Gelatin and Puddings: Sugar-free gelatin and dry pudding mixes, such as Jell-O and Royal Gelatin, are formulated with aspartame.
Chewing Gum: Sugar-free chewing gum is a significant source of aspartame. Brands like Trident, Extra, and Orbit regularly use this sweetener.
Desserts: This category includes some frozen desserts, toppings, and other sugar-free treats.
Breakfast Foods: Aspartame can be found in some instant breakfasts, flavored cereals, and instant coffee mixes.

Condiments and Other Products

Aspartame's use extends to a variety of less obvious products, including condiments and certain supplements. This highlights the importance of checking ingredient lists for unexpected sources.

Tabletop Sweeteners: The most direct way to consume aspartame is through tabletop packets sold under popular brand names like NutraSweet, Equal, and Canderel.
Reduced-Sugar Syrups: Sugar-free syrups for pancakes and beverages often contain aspartame, such as Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth's sugar-free options.
Pharmaceuticals and Supplements: Aspartame is used to improve the taste of some chewable vitamins, cough drops, and other medications.

Table: Aspartame vs. Common Sweeteners


Feature	Aspartame	Sucralose (Splenda)	Stevia	Sugar Alcohols (e.g., Xylitol)
Source	Artificial (chemical)	Artificial (chemical)	Natural (plant-based)	Natural (fermented sugars)
Sweetness	~200x sweeter than sugar	~600x sweeter than sugar	~200-300x sweeter than sugar	Less sweet than sugar
Calories	~4 calories per gram (not typically calorific)	0 calories per serving	0 calories per serving	Slightly fewer calories than sugar
Baking Stability	Breaks down with heat	Stable with heat	Stable with heat	Generally stable
Common Uses	Diet sodas, gum, tabletop sweeteners	Baked goods, beverages	Beverages, tabletop sweeteners	Gum, mints, sugar-free products
Aftertaste	Can have a sweet aftertaste	Generally no aftertaste	Can have a bitter licorice-like aftertaste	Can cause a cooling sensation

Reading the Ingredient Label

To identify if a product contains aspartame, you must read the ingredient label carefully. By law, food manufacturers must list all ingredients in descending order by weight. Look for the terms 'aspartame', 'NutraSweet', 'Equal', or its European food additive code, E-951. The label will also include the required warning for individuals with phenylketonuria: 'Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine'. Being vigilant about checking labels is the most reliable method for controlling your aspartame consumption, as marketing terms like 'sugar-free' or 'diet' do not guarantee its inclusion or exclusion.

Conclusion

Aspartame is a pervasive artificial sweetener found in a broad spectrum of processed foods and beverages, particularly those labeled as diet or sugar-free. From soft drinks and chewing gum to yogurts and even some medications, understanding where this additive is used is key to managing dietary intake. By reading ingredient labels and familiarizing oneself with common sources, consumers can make informed choices about their consumption of products containing aspartame. While regulatory bodies generally consider it safe within acceptable daily intake levels for the general population, vigilance is required for those with specific health needs, such as individuals with phenylketonuria. This knowledge empowers individuals to navigate the complex world of food additives more confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FDA's acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame is 50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The WHO and European authorities have a slightly lower ADI of 40 mg per kilogram.

Yes, most diet sodas contain aspartame. This includes popular brands such as Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, and Sprite Zero.

Yes, many brands of sugar-free chewing gum, including Trident and Wrigley's Extra, use aspartame as a sweetener.

Aspartame is generally not suitable for baking. It breaks down when exposed to high heat, causing it to lose its sweetness.

Aspartame is sold under brand names including NutraSweet, Equal, and Canderel.

Yes, besides food and drinks, aspartame can also be found in some medications, chewable vitamins, and even certain types of toothpaste.

Aspartame is made from two amino acids, including phenylalanine. The warning is required for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder that prevents them from properly metabolizing phenylalanine.