ASPARTAME INTAKE
The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is an important regulatory concept, which is frequently misunderstood. The ADI is a very conservative estimate of the amount of a sweetener that can safely be consumed on a daily basis over a person's lifetime. It is not a specific point at which safety ends and possible health concerns begin. In fact, occasional intake above the ADI is not of concern.
The FDA has set the ADI for aspartame at 50 mg/kg
of body weight/day. The chart below describes the approximate number
of servings of various aspartame-containing products that an adult
and child would need to consume to reach the ADI for aspartame.
Aspartame-containing Product |
Approximate number of servings
per day to reach the ADI |
Approximate number of servings
per day to reach the ADI |
Adult (150 lb.) |
Child (50 lb.) |
|
| Carbonated soft drink (12 oz.) | 20 | 6 |
| Powdered soft drink (8 oz.) | 33 | 11 |
| Gelatin (4 oz.) | 42 | 14 |
| Tabletop sweetener (packet) | 97 | 32 |
Extensive market research has shown that aspartame consumption patterns for the general population and various subgroups are well below the ADI. Aspartame consumption by high-level consumers (90th percentile) in the general population, including children, is between 5% and 10% of the ADI. This means that 9 out of 10 people consume less than 10% of the ADI, which is well within government guidelines.
Home |
Overview |
Benefits |
Availability in Foods & Beverages |
Aspartame & A Healthful Lifestyle
Safety |
How the Body Handles Aspartame |
Aspartame Intake |
Use by Special Groups
Unfounded Allegations |
Safety Confirmed |
The Future |
Additional Resources
The Aspartame Brochure (pdf)
