acesulfamK

AcesulfamK, also known as acesulfame potassium or Ace-K, is a synthetic calorie-free sweetener used in a wide range of foods and beverages. It is the potassium salt of acesulfamic acid and is about 200 times sweeter than sucrose. Ace-K is heat-stable, making it suitable for cooking, baking, and processing alongside other ingredients. It is commonly found in sugar-free soft drinks, desserts, dairy products, chewing gums, and tabletop sweeteners, often used in combination with other sweeteners to balance flavor and reduce aftertaste.

Chemically, acesulfame potassium has the formula C4H4KNO4S. It is a white, odorless crystalline powder with no calories. The substance is not metabolized by the human body and is largely excreted unchanged in the urine.

Regulatory status and safety: Ace-K has been approved for use as a sweetener in many countries. In the United States, the FDA approved it for use in foods in 1988; the European food safety authorities and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives have concluded an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. Ace-K does not contain phenylalanine and is considered PKU-friendly. Typical dietary intakes are well below the established ADI.

Safety reviews by major authorities have found no convincing evidence of genotoxicity or carcinogenicity at typical exposure levels. As a result, acesulfame potassium is regarded as a safe, widely used sugar substitute within approved limits.