Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
Cyclamates (a group of additives E952) are cyclamic acid and its salts, used in the food industry as intense sweeteners to replace sugar.
Cyclamates are approximately 30–50 times sweeter than sucrose while having virtually zero calories. This property of additive E952 is used to reduce the caloric content of products and to produce foods for people with diabetes.
The labeling of E952 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, cyclamates have the following labeling:
- E952(i) – Cyclamic Acid (in Codex Alimentarius - INS 952(i));
- E952(ii) – Sodium Cyclamate (in Codex Alimentarius - INS 952(iv));
- E952(iii) – Calcium Cyclamate (in Codex Alimentarius - INS 952(ii));
Previously, potassium cyclamate was also listed under INS 952(iii) in Codex Alimentarius, but it is no longer used in the food industry and has been removed from international and European standards.
Cyclamates do not occur naturally; they are fully synthetic compounds. Cyclamate was first discovered in 1937 at the University of Illinois by graduate student Michael Sveda, who accidentally noticed the sweet taste of the substance during laboratory experiments. The patent initially belonged to DuPont but was later sold to Abbott Laboratories, which introduced cyclamate to the market in the 1950s as a sweetener and a component of pharmaceutical products.
The most common form of additive E952 is the sodium salt of cyclamate, with the chemical formula C₆H₁₂NNaO₃S.
It appears as a white crystalline powder without odor, easily soluble in water, and stable to heat and acids, making it convenient for use in various food technologies.
For the food industry, additive E952 is produced synthetically. Cyclohexylamine is used as the starting material, which reacts with sulfamic acid or sulfur trioxide to form cyclamic acid (E952(i)).
From this, the sodium (E952(ii)) and calcium (E952(iii)) salts are produced, which dissolve better in water and are more convenient for use. The compounds undergo purification, crystallization, and mandatory quality control for both chemical purity and microbiological safety.
Effects on the Body
Benefits of Additive E952
Cyclamates are not absorbed by the human body in their unchanged form and are excreted in urine. They do not affect blood glucose levels and can be used by people with diabetes as sugar substitutes.
Additive E952 does not cause tooth decay, as it is not fermented by oral bacteria. In combination with other sweeteners (e.g., saccharin), cyclamate allows reducing overall calorie intake and helps control body weight.
Risks of Additive E952
Safety concerns about cyclamate arose in the 1960s when studies showed that some gut bacteria can convert it into cyclohexylamine, a compound with potential toxicity. In 1969, rat experiments demonstrated an increased risk of bladder cancer at high doses of cyclamate.
Based on these findings, the FDA banned the use of cyclamates in the U.S. food industry. Despite repeated attempts by Abbott Laboratories to challenge the FDA decision, the ban remains in effect.
Additionally, one study showed that cyclamates may slow down the activity of cells involved in bone formation, which can make bones weaker and less mineralized.
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) established the ADI (acceptable daily intake) for cyclamates in 1982 at 0–11 mg/kg body weight.
In 2000, the European Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) reassessed cyclamate toxicity and concluded that the previous temporary ADI (0–11 mg/kg body weight) did not reflect reality, as conversion to cyclohexylamine may reach up to 85% in some individuals. Based on new data, SCF set the full ADI at 0–7 mg/kg body weight, expressed as cyclamic acid.
As of 2025, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food is reassessing the safety of cyclamates considering recent studies.
In summary, the main risk is not from cyclamate itself but from its possible metabolism to cyclohexylamine in some individuals. For this reason, the additive is not recommended for pregnant women and people with specific gut microbiota conditions.
Uses
Additive E952 is used as a sweetener in a wide variety of products. It is most commonly found in low-calorie and “diet” beverages, desserts, chewing gum, confectionery, dairy products, and canned fruits. Due to its heat stability, cyclamate is also used in baked goods and instant drinks.
In the food industry, a typical mixture contains 10 parts cyclamate and 1 part saccharin, which gives a more natural taste and allows for a reduced amount of each sweetener.
Legal Status
The legal status of additive E952 varies by country. In the European Union, cyclamates are permitted according to Regulation (EU) No 1333/2008, with an ADI of 0–7 mg/kg body weight. In Ukraine and several CIS countries, the additive is also included in the list of permitted additives. Overall, cyclamates are approved in more than 100 countries, including Canada, Australia, and EU member states.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the use of additive E952 in the food industry remains banned since 1969.
