The growing demand for zero-calorie sweeteners has led to multiple innovations in this niche market. Products like stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit sweeteners are widely used by people with dietary restrictions and by restaurant businesses. The diversity in the sweetener industry means that certain options will have different applications. Such is the case for aspartame sweeteners. It’s one of the most commonly used zero-calorie sweeteners. In this post, we’ll share more about what aspartame is and what the uses of this sweetener are. It’s one of the controversial options in the artificial sweetener sector. That’s why we’ll also shed some light on the pros and cons of aspartame. If you want to read more about sweeteners, check out our posts on where to buy wholesale sugar and how to sell sugar.
Key takeaway: Aspartame is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners. It’s primarily used as an ingredient in diet soda drinks and sugar-free desserts. There are some health concerns and controversies around aspartame. That’s why some manufacturers prefer to use other sugar substitutes such as stevia or xylitol.
What Is Aspartame
Aspartame is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners. It’s a low-calorie product that is roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar. That means using pure aspartame for cooking is not an option. The fact that aspartame is so much sweeter than sugar is the reason why wholesale sales of this product are common for manufacturers. Aspartame is produced from three main components – aspartic acid, methanol, and phenylalanine. Aspartame was discovered in 1965 and it was approved by the FDA in 1974. It was again re-approved in 1981 after a brief revoke of approval. For over 50 years, aspartame has been one of the most important ingredients in the food and beverage industry. Thanks to it and other similar artificial sweeteners, a number of people with dietary restrictions can enjoy sugar-free sweet products or zero-calorie soft drinks.
Aspartame Applications and Uses
It’s important to keep in mind that aspartame breaks down and loses its sweetness when exposed to high heat. That’s why it’s rarely used by bakery businesses or restaurants. Nevertheless, it has multiple other applications and is widely used by various companies. Here are some of the main uses of aspartame sweeteners.
- Production of diet beverages. The most popular zero-sugar beverages use aspartame as an ingredient. In addition to soft drinks, it’s also used to manufacture other beverages such as low-carb energy drinks, powdered drink mixes, or sports drinks.
- Manufacturing of confectionery products. Candies, chewing gums, and desserts can be made sugar-free. In most cases, this is done with the help of aspartame. Some commercial bakeries and manufacturers use both aspartame and other sugar substitutes. In addition to desserts, aspartame can be used to produce sugar-free flavored yogurt, breakfast cereals, ice cream, protein bars, and various other items.
- Production of pharmaceuticals. Sugar-free cough syrups or chewable vitamins are often made with aspartame. It’s also used as a sweetener in effervescent tablets and other medications.
- Although the product has primarily industrial applications, aspartame can also be used as a tabletop sweetener and condiment for coffee or tea.
Advantages of Aspartame
- Affordability. One of the reasons why aspartame is the preferred sugar alternative among large manufacturers is that it comes at very affordable wholesale prices.
- High intensity. Since it is around 200 times sweeter than regular sugar, aspartame doesn’t take as much storage space. Furthermore, it makes logistics much easier. Alternatively, businesses will need to spend a lot more on sugar shipping. This further reduces the cost of goods sold.
- Versatile applications. Beverages, chewing gums, desserts, medications, and various other products can be made with aspartame. Its versatility as an ingredient is yet another reason why it's often a primary choice for businesses. Wholesale distribution and B2B sales dominate the aspartame market.
Aspartame Side Effects
- Potential health concerns. There’s a wide debate on the topic of possible health issues caused by aspartame. Although regulatory bodies have deemed the product as safe, some studies have linked its consumption to digestive issues, headache, dizziness, and even cancer risks. Furthermore, as the product contains phenylalanine, it’s not suitable for people with PKU (phenylketonuria). Because of these reasons, some business owners have switched from aspartame to other sugar substitutes.
- Not heat-stable. Aspartame cannot be used for baking or cooking because it loses its sweetness. Thus, it’s rarely used by the food service industry.
- It can degrade with time. When used in a high-temperature or acidic environment, aspartame can degrade and lose its potency. That’s why it’s not suitable for products with long shelf life.
Although there are some health concerns and downsides to using aspartame, there are various other sugar alternatives that can be used in baking or food and beverage production. One of the recent trends in the sweetener industry is to switch from aspartame to other sweeteners such as stevia.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aspartame
Do you want to know more about sales of wholesale food products? Or perhaps you’re looking for tips about finding suppliers? BlueCart's website has plenty of useful resources. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find the answers to some common questions regarding aspartame sweeteners.
What Are the Alternatives to Aspartame?
There are various zero-calorie sweeteners available. Stevia and monk fruit sweeteners are considered to be the best alternatives to aspartame and sugar. They are natural products that can be used for cooking and the production of sweets. Sugar alcohols such as xylitol and erythritol artificial sweeteners are also common aspartame substitutes. Sucralose is another sweetener that is a common alternative to aspartame. It retains its sweetness after being heated and is more affordable compared to xylitol or stevia. That’s why sucralose and aspartame are primarily used in the manufacturing of sugar-free beverages and confectionery items.
What Are the Brand Names of Aspartame Sweeteners?
Aspartame sweeteners are sold under various brand names. The most popular one is Nutrasweet®. Other brand names for aspartame include Sugar Twins®, Canderel®, and Equal®. Aspartame is often blended with other sweeteners such as Ace K (acesulfame potassium). This is done to improve the flavor and make it resemble sugar more. Various brands use aspartame as the main sweetener in their diet products. The most popular brands that use it are Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, Fanta Zero, Orbit (and other sugar-free gums), sugar-free Jell-O, and various sugar-free cough drops and syrups.
Is Aspartame Banned?
No. Aspartame is not banned in either the US, Canada, or Europe. It is approved as a low-calorie sweetener by regulatory agencies like the FDA and the EFSA. However, health-conscious consumers and various advocate groups have raised concerns regarding this product. That’s why there are ongoing debates about aspartame’s safety which may influence regulatory decisions in the future. Due to public backlash on aspartame products, some manufacturers have voluntarily stopped using it as a sugar substitute. Some retailers have also stopped selling products that contain aspartame.
BlueCart: The Wholesale Ordering Software Your Business Needs
Thanks to BlueCart’s marketplace, thousands of businesses can easily order aspartame, brown sugar, wholesale honey, or types of food additives. Our platform connects suppliers with businesses in the restaurant industry as well as other bulk buyers. So, whether you are a broadline distributor or operate a company that specializes in wholesale sales of a single category, make sure to schedule a demo. BlueCart will help you automate various processes and increase your B2B sales.