The Dangers Of Acesulfame-K

Acesulfame-K is one of the several artificial sweeteners which form a basic ingredient of products such as yogurt, soft drinks, gums, etc. It is a product of Acetoacetic acid. It is known to be 180 – 200 times sweeter than table sugar, and adds sweetness to foods without adding calories or fat. It came into use as sugar substitute in the United States.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of Acesulfame-K (Acesulfame Potassium) as a sweetener in specific foods in the year 1988, and for general purpose in the year 2002. However, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) thinks otherwise when it comes to the safety of the product. According to them, this substance has not undergone thorough studies regarding its different properties, which may pose potential threats to health. These speculations, are however, based on animal testing, as testing on humans has limited scope.
Why is Acesulfame-K Not Dangerous?
A. According to the National Cancer Institute, the reason behind FDI’s approval for the use of Acesulfame-K as a general sweetener is its review of more than 100 safety studies that were conducted on the sweetener. These studies were aimed to find any kind of evidence of threat to human health. To add to this, these studies included also those which analyzed risk of cancer. And all studies came out with zero evidence which could question the safety of Acesulfame-K.
B. Other medical experts are also with the view that Acesulfame K and other artificial sweeteners that are listed in the FDA approved products, are generally do not pose any threat to health. But they also stressed on the importance of the moderate consumption of the product. According to the FDA, 15 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight is the set limit for consuming Acesulfame K on daily basis.
C. Also, a safety test was conducted by the National Toxicology Program. About 60 rats were a part of this test, wherein, they were fed with the sweetener for about 9 months. They ensured that the amount of Acesulfame-K that was fed make up 3% of the animals’ diet. Results showed no incidences of increased risk of cancer or growth of abnormal mass of tissues in the tested animals.
Why it Can Be Otherwise?
A. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Acesulfame-K may possess carcinogenic properties. Two tested rats showed that there could be chances for the additive to cause cancer. The CSPI also points out to the mediocre standards of the tests that were conducted on the sweetener regarding its safety in the year 1970. In some other studies on rats, the sweetener showed to trigger problems such as dose-dependent insulin secretion. However, there were no evidences which could indicate hypoglycemia.
B. Reasons behind CSPI regarding the safety tests to be of mediocre standard were:
a. CSPI claims that the test period was insufficient as it was conducted for 80 weeks, instead of 104 weeks which is an agreed standard of the National Toxicology Program.
b. The system in charge of monitoring the tested animals was not satisfactory.
c. The rats and mice that were part of the safety test did not undergo any subchronic tests, which could have given more insight on the program.
d. According to CSPI, the randomization in test groups was not carried out as it was supposed to.
e. CSPI also doubted if the minimum toxic dose/maximum tolerated dose was even achieved in the tests conducted on the animals.
Although FDA and other authorities have dismissed claims that doubt the safety of the general use of Acesulfame-K, further research in terms of food safety has been recommended by critics such as the CSPI. But as a general rule of thumb, people are advised to use the food additives in small to moderate amounts, just to be on the safer side.
And before I close this article on Acesulfame-K dangers, here are some properties you may like to know about this substance. As already mentioned, it is 200 times sweeter than sugar. What you may not be aware about is that it is as sweet as aspartame, and is one-fourth as sweet as sucralose, a common sweetener in soft drinks. Again, it is half as sweet as saccharin and has a similar aftertaste at high concentrations. Unlike other artificial sweeteners, this one has the ability to remain stable under heat, and under moderate exposure to acidic or basic conditions. This property makes the Acesulfame-K more suitable to be used in products requiring longer shelf life. Pharmaceutical products like chewable and liquid drugs have this sweetener as one of the important ingredients to make them more palatable.