Sodium Cyclamate (E952): Sweetener Overview
Sodium cyclamate is an artificial sweetener and food additive (E952) used as a low-calorie sugar substitute in beverages and food products.
Things worth knowing about "Sodium cyclamate"
Sodium cyclamate is an artificial sweetener and food additive (E952) used as a low-calorie sugar substitute in beverages and food products.
What is Sodium Cyclamate?
Sodium cyclamate is the sodium salt of cyclamic acid and belongs to the group of synthetic sweeteners. In the European Union, it is approved as a food additive under the designation E 952. Sodium cyclamate is approximately 30 to 50 times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose) and contains virtually no calories. It is frequently used in combination with other sweeteners such as saccharin, as the combination produces a more pleasant taste than either substance alone.
Use in Food Products
Sodium cyclamate is found in a wide range of products marketed as calorie-reduced or sugar-free. Typical applications include:
- Low-calorie soft drinks and lemonades
- Sugar-free candies and chewing gum
- Diet jams and preserves
- Table-top sweeteners (e.g., sweetener tablets or drops)
- Certain baked goods and desserts with reduced sugar content
In the EU, the permissible maximum levels for cyclamic acid and its salts are regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives.
Sweetening Mechanism
Sodium cyclamate exerts its sweet effect by binding to the sweet taste receptors (T1R2/T1R3 heterodimers) on the taste cells of the tongue. Since it is not or only minimally metabolized by the body, it provides virtually no energy and does not affect blood glucose levels. For this reason, it is frequently used as a sugar alternative for people with diabetes mellitus or for calorie-conscious consumers.
Safety and Regulatory Assessment
The safety of sodium cyclamate is assessed differently by regulatory authorities worldwide. In the United States, cyclamate has been banned from the market since 1969 after animal studies suggested a possible link to bladder cancer. However, later studies were unable to confirm this finding in humans. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) consider cyclamate safe when the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 7 mg per kg of body weight per day is observed.
At-Risk Groups
Special recommendations apply to certain groups of people:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women: It is recommended to keep cyclamate consumption to a minimum, as insufficient long-term data are available for these groups.
- Children: Due to lower body weight, children can exceed the ADI more quickly; moderate consumption is advised.
- Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU): Sodium cyclamate itself does not contain phenylalanine, but warnings on combination products containing aspartame should be checked.
Possible Side Effects and Tolerability
At usual consumption within the ADI, sodium cyclamate is considered well tolerated. At very high intakes exceeding the ADI, the following effects have been described in animal studies:
- Changes in gut flora (intestinal microbiome)
- At very high doses in animal studies: indications of reproductive toxic effects
- Gastrointestinal complaints in sensitive individuals
Current human studies do not confirm these findings at normal intake levels. The EFSA and relevant national food safety authorities consider the substance safe when used appropriately.
Labelling on Food Products
Products containing cyclamate must be labelled in the EU in accordance with food law with the indication contains a source of sugar and sweetener(s) or only with the addition with sweetener(s), depending on the formulation. Table-top sweeteners containing cyclamate must additionally carry the statement: Contains cyclamate: not recommended for excessive consumption by children.
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. Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu
- World Health Organization (WHO) / FAO: Evaluation of certain food additives. WHO Technical Report Series, No. 940, 2007.
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union.
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