INS 951 is aspartame, an intense sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is widely used in diet soft drinks, sugar-free chewing gum, and tabletop sweeteners and is one of the most-studied food additives in history. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories with restrictions.
Quick Facts
INS Number
951
E-Number
E951
Category
Sweetener
Veg Status
Vegan
FSSAI Status
Permitted with restrictions
JECFA ADI
0-40 mg/kg bw (2023)
Chemical Name
N-L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester
What is INS 951?
INS 951 is aspartame, an intense sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is widely used in diet soft drinks, sugar-free chewing gum, and tabletop sweeteners and is one of the most-studied food additives in history.
Why brands add it
Brands use it because a tiny amount delivers full sweetness with almost no calories. It does break down at high temperatures, so it is used in cold and ambient products rather than baking. People with phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolise one of its breakdown products, which is why packs carry a 'Contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine' warning.
Where you'll find it
INS 951 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:
diet and zero-sugar soft drinks
sugar-free chewing gum
tabletop sweeteners
sugar-free yoghurts and desserts
sugar-free chocolates and confections
no-added-sugar fruit drinks
Veg or non-veg? - Vegan
Aspartame is produced by chemical synthesis, joining the two amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. The amino acids are typically produced by bacterial fermentation. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
FSSAI status and JECFA evaluation
FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI as a non-nutritive sweetener under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 for specified food categories with category-specific upper limits. FSS labelling rules require a mandatory declaration 'Contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine' for products containing aspartame, because people with phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolise phenylalanine safely.
JECFA: ADI 0-40 mg/kg body weight reaffirmed at the 96th JECFA (June-July 2023). The 2023 evaluation, conducted alongside an IARC hazard classification of aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B), concluded that JECFA found no convincing evidence of adverse effects from aspartame at typical dietary intake.
Also known as
On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 951 is also called:
Vegan. Aspartame is produced by chemical synthesis, joining the two amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. The amino acids are typically produced by bacterial fermentation. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
Is INS 951 permitted by FSSAI?+
Permitted by FSSAI as a non-nutritive sweetener under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 for specified food categories with category-specific upper limits. FSS labelling rules require a mandatory declaration 'Contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine' for products containing aspartame, because people with phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolise phenylalanine safely.
What is INS 951 used for?+
Brands use it because a tiny amount delivers full sweetness with almost no calories. It does break down at high temperatures, so it is used in cold and ambient products rather than baking. People with phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolise one of its breakdown products, which is why packs carry a 'Contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine' warning.
Is INS 951 (also written as E951) the same thing?+
Yes. INS 951 (the Codex International Numbering System used by FSSAI) and E951 (the European E-number system) refer to the same compound. The digits are identical for almost all common additives. Indian packets may show either form, or the common name (aspartame).
This page summarises FSSAI's permission status and JECFA's scientific evaluation. It is not medical or dietary advice. Manufacturer ingredient sourcing can vary, especially for source-dependent additives - the Indian veg/non-veg dot logo on the pack is the brand's declaration. For health decisions, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.