E961: Neotame
Main role: sweetening
Also listed as: neotame sweetener
What is E961 (Neotame)?
Neotame is a high-intensity sweetener with a structure related to aspartame but different metabolism and use quantities. It is used in small amounts to supply sweetness in approved food categories.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is sweetening. Sweeteners differ in intensity, bulk, and processing behavior. Intense sweeteners often need other ingredients to replace sugar’s volume. A sweetener declaration therefore does not tell you the complete carbohydrate or calorie content.
Food and formulation examples
- Reduced-sugar drinks
- Tabletop sweetener mixtures
- Dessert formulations
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E961, E 961, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include neotame sweetener. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
Neotame and aspartame are separate additives. EFSA's 2025 re-evaluation replaced its older acceptable daily intake, so an undated article quoting the previous figure can be misleading.
Is E961 safe?
EFSA’s 2025 review set an intake limit of 10 mg/kg body weight/day and found evaluated exposure below it. EFSA neotame re-evaluation (2025).
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E961 as Neotame. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.