What are Aspartame Brand Names?
Aspartame is known by several popular brand names. These include NutraSweet®, Equal®, and Sugar Twin®. Other brands have also used aspartame, such as AminoSweet®, marketed by Ajinomoto. Some products may list a brand name, while others simply list 'aspartame' in the ingredients.
Everyday Products Containing Aspartame
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener used in the food and beverage industry to reduce sugar content. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and provides virtually no calories in the small amounts used. Below are some of the most common product categories where aspartame is used:
- Diet and Zero-Sugar Beverages: Many diet soft drinks and drink mixes use aspartame for sweetness. Examples include Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, Fanta Zero, Sprite Zero, and Crystal Light.
- Sugar-Free Gum: Sugar-free chewing gums often use aspartame. Examples include Trident, Extra, Mentos, and Wrigley's brands.
- Tabletop Sweeteners: In addition to packets of Equal or NutraSweet, aspartame is the key ingredient in many generic and store-brand zero-calorie sweetener packets.
- Flavored Dairy Products: Some light or sugar-free yogurts and desserts, such as some Yoplait 0% and Muller Light products, contain aspartame.
- Sugar-Free Gelatin and Puddings: Aspartame is commonly found in sugar-free versions of desserts like Jell-O and puddings.
- Low-Sugar Condiments: Some sugar-free syrups, like Log Cabin, and other condiments use aspartame.
- Cereals and Bars: Certain low-sugar breakfast cereals and granola bars may also contain this sweetener.
Identifying Aspartame on Product Labels
Consumers wishing to monitor their aspartame intake can read the ingredient list. The presence of aspartame must be clearly indicated by its name or, in Europe, its E-number (E-951). Products containing aspartame must include this warning: "PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE". Phenylalanine is one of the amino acids that make up aspartame.
Comparison of Aspartame to Other Sweeteners
Aspartame is often compared to other artificial sweeteners. Here is a comparison of some key characteristics:
| Feature | Aspartame | Sucralose | Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Brand Names | NutraSweet®, Equal®, Sugar Twin® | Splenda® | Sunett®, Sweet One® |
| Sweetness Level (vs. Sugar) | ~200x sweeter | ~600x sweeter | ~200x sweeter |
| Heat Stability | Breaks down when heated, losing sweetness | Very heat stable, suitable for baking | Very heat stable, suitable for baking |
| Used in Combination | Often combined with Ace-K for an enhanced taste profile | Can be blended with other sweeteners | Often combined with other sweeteners, including aspartame |
What Artificial Sweeteners Do NOT Contain Aspartame?
Several alternative sweeteners are available that are chemically different. These include:
- Sucralose: Found in products like Splenda.
- Saccharin: Known by brand names such as Sweet'N Low and Sweet Twin.
- Stevia: A plant-derived sweetener, with brand names including Truvia and PureVia.
- Monk Fruit: Also known as Luo Han Guo, it is a natural sweetener with brand names like Monk Fruit in the Raw.
- Erythritol and Xylitol: These are sugar alcohols often used in sugar-free products.
The Controversy Surrounding Aspartame
The safety of aspartame has been debated for decades. In 2023, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B), based on limited evidence. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) maintained the acceptable daily intake (ADI), concluding that the evidence of an association with cancer was not convincing at typical consumption levels. U.S. and European food safety agencies reaffirmed their positions that aspartame is safe for consumption within recommended limits. Further research is needed. The World Health Organization provides a comprehensive summary of the 2023 findings.
Conclusion
Understanding which artificial sweeteners contain aspartame is essential for making informed dietary choices. Consumers can rely on ingredient labels, which explicitly state 'aspartame' or its E-number. Despite ongoing debate, major food safety agencies consider aspartame safe when consumed within the established acceptable daily intake levels.
