E954

What is E954?

Saccharin (E954) — a high-intensity sweetener used in drinks, tabletop sweeteners, confectionery and other low-calorie products.

Quick answer

Saccharin (E954) is a non-nutritive sweetener available as saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts. EFSA’s 2024 re-evaluation set an ADI of 9 mg/kg body weight per day and found estimated chronic exposure below it. It is permitted for specified uses in Australia/NZ and the EU; the US permits saccharin and certain salts under 21 CFR 180.37. Goodnessly rates it Avoid as a preference against routine intense sweeteners.

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Read the FAQ →

What is saccharin?

Saccharin is an intensely sweet, non-nutritive sweetener. E954 covers saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts. It has been used in drinks, tabletop sweeteners, confectionery and other foods. Labels may say "saccharin", "sodium saccharin", "954", "E954" or "sweetener (954)".

What's it used for?

  • Sweetening drinks and low-calorie beverages
  • Tabletop sweetener products
  • Sweetening confectionery, desserts and sauces
  • Providing sweetness with little or no energy contribution

Where you'll find E954 on the shelf

Saccharin is most often associated with intense-sweetener products and foods marketed as reduced-sugar or sugar-free.

Tabletop sweeteners
Diet drinks
Sugar-free confectionery
Desserts & sauces
Reduced-sugar products
Sweetener (954)

Is saccharin safe? What the research says

EFSA’s 2024 re-evaluation replaced the older ADI with 9 mg/kg body weight per day and concluded that chronic exposure estimates were below the ADI in all population groups assessed. Goodnessly’s Avoid rating is a household preference to limit intense sweeteners; it is not a claim that saccharin is banned or that authorised intake is unsafe.

Region Status What this means
AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) Permitted (specified foods; Schedule 15) FSANZ includes saccharin and its salts as additive 954 in Schedule 15. Food-category permissions and maximum levels apply, and the additive must be declared by name or code number when used.
EU European Union (EFSA) Authorised; ADI 9 mg/kg bw/day (EFSA 2024) Saccharins (E954) are on the EU Union list under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 for specified food categories. EFSA’s 2024 re-evaluation set an ADI of 9 mg/kg body weight per day and reported no safety concern from estimated chronic exposure.
US United States (FDA) Permitted under 21 CFR 180.37 FDA’s 21 CFR 180.37 permits saccharin and its ammonium, calcium, potassium and sodium salts for specified uses, with conditions including required labelling and limits. This is a regulatory permission, not a recommendation for routine consumption.

The old rat-bladder-tumour concern that shaped earlier saccharin rules is described by EFSA as specific to male rats and not relevant to humans. Goodnessly’s Avoid rating is a preference-based choice, not a claim that modern permitted use is carcinogenic.

📰 Recent developments Last checked September 2026
  • EFSA 2024: ADI set at 9 mg/kg bw/day for saccharin and its salts; chronic exposure estimates were below the ADI in all assessed population groups.
  • FSANZ: saccharin is listed as additive 954 with category-specific Schedule 15 permissions.
  • FDA 21 CFR 180.37: saccharin and specified salts remain permitted under stated conditions.

This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.

Who might want to limit or avoid it

  • People limiting intense or non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Households reducing sugar-free and diet products with long additive lists
  • Anyone who prefers sweetness from minimally processed foods

Goodnessly rates E954 Avoid. Saccharin remains permitted in Australia/NZ, the EU and the US, with EFSA’s current ADI and exposure conclusion providing the regulatory context for a personal avoid choice.

How to spot it on a label

Look for:

  • Saccharin
  • Sodium saccharin
  • 954 or E954
  • Sweetener (954)
  • Saccharin salts

A product may name the salt rather than the word “saccharin” alone.

Related additives

955 Sucralose 950 Acesulphame potassium 951 Aspartame 961 Neotame

Frequently asked questions

What is E954?

E954 is saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts, used as an intense non-nutritive sweetener.

Is saccharin banned?

No. Saccharin remains permitted for specified uses in Australia/NZ, the EU and the US, subject to each region’s conditions and labelling rules.

What ADI did EFSA set for saccharin?

EFSA’s 2024 re-evaluation set an acceptable daily intake of 9 mg/kg body weight per day and found estimated chronic exposure below that ADI in the assessed population groups.

Does Goodnessly rate E954 as safe, caution or avoid?

Goodnessly rates E954 (saccharin) as Avoid.

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