What is neotame?
Neotame is a new food ingredient that delivers great taste when used as a sweetener and/or as a flavour enhancer. Neotame has a clean, sweet taste like sugar; however, because it is so sweet only a small amount is needed to sweeten foods and beverages. As a sweetener, neotame can reduce or replace nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners while maintaining great taste. Neotame also has the ability to enhance or extend the sweetening and flavouring properties of some flavors, especially mint.

How sweet is neotame?
It is significantly sweeter than other sweeteners on the market. Food and beverage companies have the flexibility of using very small amounts of neotame in their products while still delivering the clean, sweet taste of sugar.

What is neotame made of? Is it made from aspartame?
Neotame is a simple, but unique structure. It's a derivative of the dipeptide composed of the following amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine.

While some of the components are the same as aspartame, neotame is a new and unique sweetener.

Where can neotame be found?
The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) approved neotame for general use in foods and beverages in 2001. Although it is a new sweetener, neotame will be found in an increasing number of soft drinks and juices and use will extend to a wider range of other products such as dairy desserts, yogurts, jellies and confections.

What do you mean when you say neotame is a flavour enhancer?
Whether it's present at levels that provide sweetness, or even at levels below that sweetening threshold, neotame accentuates and "lifts" the flavours in food. It's as if it has the effect of bringing the flavours to life.

How do foods and beverages sweetened with neotame fit into healthful eating?
A balanced diet including a variety of foods is the foundation of healthful eating. As part of a balanced diet, neotame provides a little sweetness without adding calories.

How was the safety of neotame tested?
Over 100 scientific studies were done to establish the safety and functionality of neotame. A comprehensive battery of safety studies in animals and humans demonstrated no adverse effects from neotame.

ANZFA has a detailed and extensive process for evaluating the safety and functionality of new food additives. This rigorous process provides a high level of confidence in the safety of neotame.

Who can use neotame?
People of all ages, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, teens and children, and people with diabetes, can enjoy products sweetened with neotame while maintaining a healthful diet.

Can neotame be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women?
Yes. ANZFA approved neotame for use by the general population. So, neotame can be safely incorporated into the overall diet of pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, most women need to increase their caloric intake during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, so it is important that they consume foods that supply adequate calories and nutrients required to nourish the fetus or infant during this important time. Of course, it is important for all pregnant women to consult with their physicians regarding nutritional needs during pregnancy.

Can children consume neotame?
Yes. Neotame can be safely incorporated as part of a healthful diet for children. However, it is important to keep in mind that children, particularly those under two years of age, need adequate calories for growth and development.

Can neotame be incorporated into the diets of people with diabetes?
Yes. Neotame has no effect on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations or on glycemic control in diabetic individuals. Thus, foods sweetened with neotame can be safely incorporated into their meal plans to help them achieve their dietary goals.

Will people with phenylketonuria be able to consume neotame?
Yes. Products made with neotame require no special labeling for phenylketonuria.

How do you know that neotame does not cause cancer?
Studies in animals conducted over their entire lifetime clearly demonstrate that neotame does not cause cancer.

Does neotame cause dental cavities?
No. Whether a food containing neotame can contribute to dental cavities depends on the presence of the other constituents of the food (i.e., whether there is fermentable carbohydrate present). Based on its metabolism, neotame would not provide an energy source for oral bacteria, thus it would not contribute to dental cavities.

Will neotame be used alone or blended with other sweeteners?
While neotame can function as a stand-alone sweetener, it lends itself particularly well to blending with other sweeteners, including both nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners. Food and beverage companies will have the flexibility to determine its use on a product-by-product basis.

Is neotame heat stable?
Yes. Neotame can be used in both cooking and baking applications.

Is neotame a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
No. Neotame does not contain or consist of genetically modified organisms.