How Safe Is Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) to Consume?
Mintel Market Research conducted a recent study to learn more about consumers’ perceptions of sweeteners and their relative healthiness. Natural-based sweeteners, such as honey and maple syrup, were perceived as healthier than many others. At the opposite end of the spectrum, consumers viewed white sugar and artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, aspartame, and Ace-K, as not as good for you. However, is perception truth? Are more processed caloric and noncaloric sweeteners less safe or unhealthy for us?
Acesulfame potassium, or Ace-K, is a non-nutritive sweetener that has been around since 1967. While this sweetener may not be as familiar to some, it has been used in many foods, beverages, dietary supplements, dental products, and medicines over the last 50 years due to its no-calorie and noncariogenic benefits. Ace-K is a calorie-free sweetener similar to sucralose in that it does not come from a natural source, such as stevia or monk fruit. Does this make it any less safe to consume? The short answer from food scientists and registered dieticians is no.
The fact that an ingredient comes from nature does not automatically make it healthier or safer to consume. There are many toxic natural compounds that are unsafe for human consumption. In addition, some synthetic ingredients are also nature identical, meaning their chemical structure is identical to what is found in nature. There are even some natural ingredients that undergo more processing steps than some synthetic ones. Therefore, the belief that natural ingredients are better is not exactly accurate. Regardless of the ingredient’s source or processing, many organizations are dedicated to performing extensive safety and toxicology testing on new ingredients before they can be used in foods and beverages.
Back to the main question: Is Ace-K safe to consume? Click on the infographic below to learn more about Ace-K and its safety for humans and the environment.
Are you looking to learn more about formulating your products with Ace-K? Check out this article on its beneficial uses in various food, beverage, and nutraceutical applications. ChemPoint is proud to offer premium and nongeneric Ace-K from the original developers.
