Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
Food additive E954 (Saccharins) includes saccharin and its sodium, potassium, and calcium salts. This group of additives belongs to the category of intense sweeteners and is used to give products a sweet taste without adding sugar and without increasing caloric value.
In nature, saccharin does not occur; it is a fully synthetic compound. It was discovered in 1879 at Johns Hopkins University, when American chemist Constantin Fahlberg accidentally noticed the sweet taste of a substance while working with derivatives of coal tar. This discovery marked the beginning of saccharin’s wide industrial use.
The labeling of additive E954 subtypes differs slightly between the International Numbering System for Food Additives Codex Alimentarius: CXG 36-1989 and Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, which sets detailed specifications for food additives in the European Union.
According to European legislation, saccharins have the following labeling:
- E954(i) – Saccharin (in Codex Alimentarius – INS 954(i));
- E954(ii) – Sodium saccharin (in Codex Alimentarius – INS 954(iv));
- E954(iii) – Calcium saccharin (in Codex Alimentarius – INS 954(ii));
- E954(iv) – Potassium saccharin (in Codex Alimentarius – INS 954(iii));
In pure form, saccharins are white crystals, odorless, with a distinctly sweet taste, 300–500 times sweeter than sucrose. Saccharin has high thermal stability, is resistant to acids, and is poorly soluble in water and alcohol. Sodium, potassium, and calcium salts are more soluble, which is why they are more commonly used in the food industry.
For the industrial production of additives of group E954, the Remsen–Fahlberg method is used, based on a multistage chemical reaction. The Maumee method was also developed, but due to the possible formation of impurities, it did not gain wide acceptance. According to the EFSA conclusion, the Remsen–Fahlberg method provides the lowest risk of toxic by-products formation.
Effects on the Body
Benefits of Additive E954
Saccharin and its salts are not metabolized by the body and are excreted unchanged. Thanks to this, additive E954 does not increase blood glucose levels, which makes it useful for diabetics. In addition, saccharin contains almost no calories, so in some cases it can be used in diet products for weight control.
Risks of Additive E954
According to research, calorie reduction does not always lead to weight loss: artificial sweeteners may increase appetite and cause the opposite effect. Thus, studies on rats demonstrated that animals on yogurt with saccharin gained more weight with the same caloric intake due to reduced energy expenditure. An earlier study showed increased food intake and weight gain in rats fed a saccharin diet.
In the 1970s, concerns arose regarding saccharin’s carcinogenicity. Experiments on rats showed the development of bladder tumors at doses of 2600 mg/kg body weight per day. As a result, from 1981 to 2000, food packages with saccharin in the USA carried a warning about possible risks. However, subsequent studies proved that these results are not applicable to humans.
According to the latest EFSA assessment, saccharin and its salts obtained by the Remsen–Fahlberg method do not cause genotoxicity and do not pose a carcinogenic risk. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously reached similar conclusions.
JECFA established for additive E954 an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–5 mg/kg body weight. EFSA, in its re-evaluation, proposed an updated ADI of 0–9 mg/kg body weight, expressed as free imide, and confirmed that saccharin and its salts are safe for health when this norm is observed.
Uses
Additive E954 is used in the food industry as an intense sweetener. It is applied in the production of diet and diabetic products, soft drinks, chewing gum, confectionery, and sauces. In pure form, saccharin may give a slight metallic aftertaste, so it is often combined with other sweeteners (such as aspartame or cyclamate) to achieve a more balanced taste.
Beyond the food industry, saccharin is used in pharmaceuticals (as a filler and sweetener in dosage forms), as well as in technical fields — in printer and copier toners, adhesive compositions, and some industrial reagents.
Legal Status
Additive E954 is permitted for use in most countries worldwide, including the European Union, Ukraine, the USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
In the EU, the use of saccharins is regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Separate specifications for each subtype of additive E954 are described in Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
In the USA, saccharin was removed from the list of potentially hazardous substances in 2000, and since then its use has been fully approved by the FDA.
