Alternate Names

Acesulfame K, Ace K, Sunett, Sweet One

Description

A crystalline sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar and contributes no calories. Widely used in a variety of foods and beverages.

Additional Information

Approved by the FDA in 1988. This sweetener is "calorie free" because it not digested by the body. Some studies indicate that it caused tumors in animal trials. Not enough long-term studies in humans.

Found In

candy, soft drinks, frozen desserts, canned fruit, puddings and custards, instant coffee, chewing gum

Possible Health Effects

Caused tumors and elevated blood level of cholesterol in animal studies.

Allergy Information

Unknown

Online Resources/Related

• Center of Science in the Public Interest, Sample Quote from Cancer Experts' Letters on Acesulfame Testing, Date Unknown, Center of Science in the Public Interest
• Environmental Health Prospectives, Testing Needed for Acesulfame Potassium, an Artificial Sweetener, September 2006, Myra L. Karstadt
• Environmental Health Perspectives, Acesulfame Potassium: Soffritti Responds, September 2006, Morando Soffritti

Print Resources

• Statham, Bill. Eat Safe: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Running Press, 2008
• Winter, Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods. Three Rivers Press, 2009
• Minich, Deanna M. An A-Z Guide to Food Additives: Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce. Conari Press, 2009
• Farlow, Christine Hoza, D.C.Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. KISS For Health Publishing, 2007 Revised Edition

Copyright May 20, 2010 Be Food Smart