In this article, I would like to talk about saccharin, which is used as a sweetener in foods. In the article, you can find titles such as what is saccharin (E954), is it harmful, and saccharin usage areas.

What is saccharin?

Saccharin is an artificial sweetener that has been used since ancient times. It is obtained by oxidation of chemicals. Its general formula is C7H5NO3S. It is white, crystalline and odorless.

It is used as a sugar substitute in foods. It is about 300 times sweeter than sucrose solution. In other words, the amount to be added to foods is less than sugar. This increases its use in foods. It is generally used by mixing with other sweeteners as it can cause a metallic and bitter taste in foods.

Saccharin (E954) usage areas

When we look at the usage areas, we can see that it is used in foods and some cosmetic products (such as toothpaste, oral care solutions). Its use in foods is more common in diet products. Diet drinks, diet jam and marmalade, diet bakery products, etc. It is used not only in diet products, but also in carbonated and still drinks, jams, candies, tablets used as sweeteners.

The E code for saccharin is E954. According to the Turkish Food Codex, the amount of use in different product groups is different.

Is saccharin (E954) harmful?

Saccharin is a sweetener that was banned in foods in previous years because it caused cancer. It has been accepted as safe by institutions such as FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), WHO (World Health Organization), EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) with studies conducted in the following years. The daily intake (ADI) determined by the FDA is 5 mg/kg body weight.

Saccharin is a commonly used sweetener in foods. By looking at the label information on the products we consume during the day, you can see which ones are used or not. Considering that it is an artificial sweetener, I think that frequent consumption should be avoided.