The Chemical and Technical Synonyms
Beyond its most common name, sodium cyclamate, this calorie-free sweetener is identified by several other chemical and technical terms that are important for consumers and the food industry to recognize.
- Sodium N-cyclohexylsulfamate: This is the most precise and chemically descriptive name for the compound. This name details the structure, identifying it as the sodium salt of N-cyclohexylsulfamic acid. It is the name most often used in scientific and regulatory contexts to avoid ambiguity.
- Cyclamic Acid Sodium Salt: A more general chemical name that describes the compound as a salt formed from cyclamic acid. This term is also a valid synonym, though less specific than the N-cyclohexylsulfamate designation.
- E952: For consumers and producers in Europe and other regions that use the 'E number' system, E952 is the official code for sodium cyclamate. This number simplifies the labeling process for food additives and ensures a standardized reference across different languages. The E-number represents its classification and approval status as a sweetener.
- Cyclamate Sodium: This is another broad, yet accurate, term for the substance, often used interchangeably with sodium cyclamate in some contexts.
Historical and Brand Names
Sodium cyclamate was introduced commercially under various brand names, some of which are still known today despite regional restrictions. The most prominent of these is Sucaryl, a brand that became a household name before the sweetener's regulatory complications in the US.
- Sucaryl Sodium: This was the major brand name used by Abbott Laboratories to market their cyclamate sweetener in the US, starting in 1950. The name became synonymous with the product for over a decade and is still referenced today in discussions about artificial sweeteners. After the FDA ban, the name fell out of common use in the United States, but it is an important part of the sweetener's history.
- Sweet'n Low (in Canada): While the Sweet'n Low brand in the United States primarily uses saccharin, the Canadian version has historically included sodium cyclamate. This is a key example of how a single brand can have different formulations and ingredient lists depending on the country's specific food regulations, highlighting the importance of checking local labels.
- Assugrin: A brand name for cyclamate-based sweeteners used in countries like Switzerland and Brazil. This and other regional names, such as Natreen and Hachi-Sugar, demonstrate the global market presence of cyclamate under diverse branding.
Sodium Cyclamate vs. Sucralose: A Comparison
While both are artificial sweeteners, sodium cyclamate and sucralose have distinct differences in their properties, regulatory status, and use. Here is a comparison to illustrate these differences:
| Characteristic | Sodium Cyclamate | Sucralose |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness Intensity | ~30-50 times sweeter than sucrose | ~600 times sweeter than sucrose |
| Regulatory Status (US) | Banned for use in food since 1970 | Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA |
| Regulatory Status (EU) | Approved for use under the E952 code | Approved for use under the E955 code |
| Heat Stability | Highly stable and suitable for baking and cooking | Highly stable and suitable for baking and cooking |
| Use in Blends | Often combined with saccharin to enhance sweetness and mask aftertaste | Often used alone or with other sweeteners in many low-calorie products |
| Aftertaste | Sweet taste, though a slight bitter aftertaste can occur at high concentrations | Generally considered to have no off-taste or lingering aftertaste |
The Cyclamate Controversy and Regulatory Status
The most significant chapter in the history of sodium cyclamate is the controversy surrounding its safety, which led to vastly different regulatory approaches around the world. In 1970, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a ban on the substance after a study suggested a link between high-dose consumption of a cyclamate-saccharin mixture and bladder tumors in rats. This decision was highly influential but also widely debated, as the doses were far beyond typical human consumption levels, and subsequent research has been contradictory.
Many other countries and international bodies, including the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO) through its Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), conducted their own extensive reviews. In 1996, following a thorough re-evaluation, the European Union approved cyclamate for use, deeming it safe within specified acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels. Today, it remains approved and regulated in over 100 countries, while the ban persists in the US. This regulatory divergence underscores the complexity of food science and the varying interpretations of scientific evidence by different authorities.
How Cyclamate is Used Today
Despite its varying regulatory status, cyclamate continues to be a widely used artificial sweetener in many parts of the world due to its high heat stability, solubility, and synergistic properties when combined with other sweeteners like saccharin.
Its applications include:
- Beverages: Used in diet sodas, flavored water, and other low-calorie drinks.
- Tabletop Sweeteners: Available in tablet, granulated, and liquid forms for personal use in hot or cold drinks.
- Processed Foods: Incorporated into a variety of products such as baked goods, jams, jellies, canned fruits, and salad dressings.
- Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics: Utilized to mask the bitter taste of certain medications and to sweeten products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
Conclusion
Sodium cyclamate is a calorie-free sweetener with a diverse and sometimes controversial past, known by a number of chemical, technical, and brand names around the globe. Its most prominent synonyms include sodium N-cyclohexylsulfamate and the food additive code E952. Awareness of its historical brand name, Sucaryl, and regional variations like its use in Canadian Sweet'n Low are also key for consumers. While its regulatory acceptance is not universal, it remains a common ingredient in a wide array of low-calorie products in more than 100 countries. Understanding the different names associated with this substance is crucial for navigating ingredient lists and grasping its complex history in food science and regulation. For more details on cyclamate and other sweeteners, the Calorie Control Council provides a useful overview.
