E956 – Alitame
SweetenerDescription
Alitame (E956) is a high-intensity, non-nutritive artificial sweetener, chemically defined as (3S)-3-amino-4-(((R)-1-ethoxy-2-oxo-2-((3-oxo-1,2-benzisothiazol-2(3H)-yl)methyl)ethyl)amino)-4-oxobutanoic acid. It is a stable dipeptide derivative, approximately 2,000 times sweeter than sucrose, and maintains excellent thermal and pH stability, making it suitable for use in soft drinks and baked goods.
Notes
Alitame is a high-tech artificial sweetener created by chemically combining two amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) – aspartic acid and alanine – with a compound called 2,2,4,4-tetramethylthietanyl. This creates what's called a dipeptide derivative, essentially a modified protein fragment that tastes incredibly sweet. The process involves sophisticated chemical synthesis in specialized facilities. With sweetness approximately 2000 times more intense than regular sugar, alitame is one of the most potent sweeteners available. Just a tiny pinch can sweeten an entire batch of food. It's used in a variety of products including beverages, baked goods, dairy products, and tabletop sweeteners, though it's less common than some other artificial sweeteners and may not be approved in all countries. Alitame is synthetically produced and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. However, because it contains aspartic acid (one of the amino acids also found in aspartame), products containing alitame must carry warnings for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic condition. While approved as safe by various food authorities where it's permitted, its availability varies by country, and it's subject to acceptable daily intake limits like other intense sweeteners.