Cyclamate (E952) – Artificial Sweetener Explained
Cyclamate (E952) is an artificial sweetener approximately 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar, widely used in low-calorie foods, beverages, and diabetic products.
Things worth knowing about "Cyclamate"
Cyclamate (E952) is an artificial sweetener approximately 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar, widely used in low-calorie foods, beverages, and diabetic products.
What Is Cyclamate?
Cyclamate (food additive code E952) is a synthetic sweetener belonging to the class of sulfamic acid esters. It is most commonly used in the form of sodium cyclamate or calcium cyclamate. Cyclamate is approximately 30 to 50 times sweeter than ordinary table sugar (sucrose), meaning only very small amounts are needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness in calorie-reduced products.
Uses and Occurrence
Cyclamate is used worldwide as a sugar substitute in a wide range of food and beverage products. Typical applications include:
- Low-calorie soft drinks (light and zero-sugar products)
- Confectionery, chewing gum, and sweets
- Diet products and foods formulated for people with diabetes
- Desserts, yoghurts, and sweet dishes
- Tabletop sweeteners (e.g., sweetener tablets)
Cyclamate is often combined with other sweeteners such as saccharin or aspartame, as the combination produces a more pleasant taste profile and helps mask the slightly bitter aftertaste that cyclamate can have on its own.
Chemical Properties
Chemically, cyclamate is cyclohexylsulfamic acid. It is heat-stable and acid-stable, making it particularly suitable for use in heated foods and acidic beverages. Unlike some other sweeteners, cyclamate remains stable during cooking and baking.
Safety and Regulatory Status
The safety of cyclamate has been the subject of extensive research for decades. In the 1970s, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned cyclamate after animal studies suggested a possible carcinogenic potential. This ban remains in effect in the USA today.
In the European Union, however, cyclamate is an approved food additive. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the sweetener on multiple occasions and established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 7 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. This value applies to adults.
For children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, healthcare professionals generally recommend caution and suggest that the use of artificial sweeteners should only be considered following medical advice.
Metabolism and Breakdown in the Body
Cyclamate is not fully absorbed by the human body. A portion is excreted unchanged in the urine. Another portion can be converted by certain gut bacteria into cyclohexylamine, a compound that may have toxic effects at high doses. The individual ability to convert cyclamate into cyclohexylamine varies considerably from person to person and depends on the composition of the gut microbiome.
Potential Health Effects
When consumed within the established ADI, cyclamate is considered safe for most adults. The following aspects are discussed in the scientific literature:
- Cancer risk: The original animal studies that led to the ban in the USA are now generally considered not directly applicable to humans. Current EFSA assessments do not identify an increased cancer risk at typical intake levels.
- Blood sugar: Cyclamate does not have a meaningful effect on blood glucose levels and is therefore suitable for people with diabetes.
- Digestive effects: In large quantities, cyclamate may have a laxative effect or cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals.
- Cyclohexylamine production: In certain individuals (known as "converters"), greater amounts of cyclohexylamine may be produced from cyclamate, which can be of relevance in the case of excessive consumption.
Labelling in Food Products
In the EU, food products containing cyclamate must be labelled accordingly on their packaging. The labelling appears either as E952 or as cyclamate in the list of ingredients.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of cyclamic acid and its sodium and calcium salts (E 952) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2019.
- World Health Organization (WHO) / Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Evaluation of certain food additives. WHO Technical Report Series, No. 952.
- Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): Cyclamate monograph. JECFA Monographs, Geneva, 2009.
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