Aspartame

Artificial sweetener

MUIS classifies as doubtful; SANHA classifies as halal.

Based on 2 cited authorities. Confidence: medium.

What authorities say

2 authorities on record

1says Doubtful1says Halal

Saying Doubtful1 of 2

MUIS

MUIS Food Additive Listing (2016): Commercially produced by combining two amino acids together, namely L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid.

Saying Halal1 of 2

SANHA

Status: Halaal

Why this verdict

E951 is aspartame, a synthetic high-intensity sweetener used in diet soft drinks, sugar-free gum, and tabletop sweeteners. SANHA classifies E951 as halal. MUIS marks E951 as syubhah, noting it is produced by combining the two amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid. On SANHA’s classification, E951 is halal.

Food-safety note

Permitted as an intense sweetener in Australia and New Zealand under the Food Standards Code (Schedule 15), subject to maximum permitted levels. Aspartame contains phenylalanine, so foods sweetened with it must carry a statement for people with phenylketonuria (PKU); FSANZ and JECFA regard it as safe at permitted levels. (Source: FSANZ; Food Standards Code Schedule 15.)

Common questions

Is E951 halal?

Aspartame (E951) is classified halal. MUIS classifies it as doubtful; SANHA classifies it as halal.

What is E951 made from?

Aspartame (E951) is produced synthetically. It is commonly found in Diet sodas, sugar-free gum, and tabletop sweeteners.

Based on 2 cited authorities. Verdict may be revised as more positions are added.

Found in

Diet sodassugar-free gumtabletop sweeteners