Origin
E 961 is synthesized from the substance Aspartame by reacting Aspartame with the compound 3,3-Dimethylbutyraldehyde in a chemical process. This results in an end product that is a colorless crystalline powder which dissolves well in water. Neotam has enormous sweetness. So, the sweetness of E 961 is approximately 7000 - 13,000 times stronger than that of normal household sugar. Additionally, it has been found that Neotam also has a flavor-enhancing effect.
Usage
E 961 is used as a sweetener mainly in calorie-reduced foods. Neotam can be found in the same foods where the sweetener Aspartame is used. Thus, E 961 is primarily used in sugar-free beverages, sweets, desserts, jams, and jellies.
Risks
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considers E 961 to be safe and thus Neotam is not only approved as a sweetener but also as a flavor enhancer. Due to its high sweetness, E 961 can be used in very small doses in foods, so potential hazards are also considered low. Therefore, people suffering from Phenylketonuria have no risks to fear, as although E 961 is a source of phenylalanine, due to the low dosage it has no corresponding effects.