Approved for use in the United States in 1988, acesulfame potassium is marketed under the brand name Sunette.
It was approved for use in Europe in 1983 and used in more than 3000 products in the world. Approval for use in confections was granted by FDA in 1993.
Acesulfame potassium occurs as a white, free flowing crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in water and very slightly soluble in ethanol.
Acesulfame potassium is a non-caloric sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than table sugar, adding its sweet taste to candies, baked goods, desserts, noncarbonated drinks, dairy products, sauces, alcoholic drinks, and tabletops sweeteners.
It can supplement sugar alcohols in sugar free ice cream without affecting melting and whipping properties. Use at 500 mg/kg. It can be used to unpleasant taste characteristics of other products.
Acesulfame potassium is used with other sweeteners such as aspartame because it has a long shelf life, and tastes sweet right away. It also has a synergistic effect with other sweeteners so less of each is necessary to achieve the same sweetness.
Acesulfame potassium
