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Ingredient Guide

🇨🇦 Aspartame on Food Labels in Canada

Aspartame is permitted but requires specific warning statements in Canada: declare as "aspartame" with the required warning: "Contains phenylalanine" or "Phenylalanine: Xmg per serving".

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What the Rule Is

Aspartame (E951) is an intense sweetener roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar, used in diet drinks, sugar-free gum, and tabletop sweeteners. In Canada, Aspartame is regulated under FDR & Safe Food for Canadians Regulations as a food sweetener. Health Canada requires phenylalanine content to be declared. The amount per serving must be specified, which is more specific than the US or EU requirements.

What You Must Include
  • Declare as "aspartame" in the ingredient list
  • Include the required warning: "Contains phenylalanine" or "Phenylalanine: Xmg per serving"
  • Declare with functional class: "sweetener" and E-number E951
  • Review all compound ingredients for hidden sources
  • Cross-check all compound ingredients and sub-ingredients for hidden sources
Common Violations
  • Missing the mandatory warning: "Contains phenylalanine" or "Phenylalanine: Xmg per serving"
  • Using an ambiguous or abbreviated name that does not identify Aspartame
  • Omitting the E-number E951 where required
  • Not updating the label after recipe changes involving this ingredient
  • Failing to check compound ingredients for hidden Aspartame content
Examples: Compliant vs Non-Compliant

Compliant Examples

"sweetener: aspartame" + warning: "Contains phenylalanine" or "Phenylalanine: Xmg per serving"
"aspartame" in ingredient list
Full ingredient line: "Ingredients: ... aspartame ..."

Non-Compliant Examples

Using a synonym (Equal, AminoSweet) without the approved declaration name
Missing the required warning statement near the ingredient declaration
"Natural [ingredient category]" without specific name where specific name is required
How LabelGuard Checks This

LabelGuard scans your label for Aspartame and all its common names (NutraSweet, Equal, AminoSweet, E951) to verify correct declaration, required E-numbers, and mandatory warning statements under Canada rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is aspartame (E951)?

Aspartame (E951) is an intense sweetener roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar, used in diet drinks, sugar-free gum, and tabletop sweeteners. It commonly appears in: Diet soft drinks, Sugar-free gum, Low-calorie yoghurt, Tabletop sweeteners, Some medicines.

Is aspartame bad for you?

In 2023 IARC classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B), while JECFA and EFSA reaffirmed the ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day as safe — a level equivalent to many cans of diet soda daily. Products containing it must warn that they contain a source of phenylalanine, which people with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid.

How must Aspartame be declared on food labels in Canada?

Declare as "aspartame" in the ingredient list. A mandatory warning must also appear: "Contains phenylalanine" or "Phenylalanine: Xmg per serving". Health Canada requires phenylalanine content to be declared. The amount per serving must be specified, which is more specific than the US or EU requirements.

What are the common synonyms and hidden sources of Aspartame?

Aspartame may appear under the following names: NutraSweet, Equal, AminoSweet, E951, APM. Common hidden sources include: Diet soft drinks, Sugar-free gum, Low-calorie yoghurt, Tabletop sweeteners, Some medicines, Diet desserts.

Is aspartame banned in Canada or other markets?

Requires mandatory warnings in: EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia.

Regulation Sources

Last updated: 2026-07-20

Disclaimer: This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official regulations and seek professional legal advice for specific compliance questions.

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