Foods Containing E954 (Saccharin)
E954 (Saccharin) is the oldest artificial sweetener, discovered in 1879 — once carried cancer warnings that were later withdrawn. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E954
E954 is used across diet soft drinks, sugar-free gum, desserts, yoghurts and low-calorie foods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Tabletop sweeteners
- Diet drinks
- Sugar-free products
- Toothpaste
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E954 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E954" or as "Saccharin".
How to spot E954 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "artificial and intense sweeteners: E954" or "artificial and intense sweeteners: saccharin". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Saccharin" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E954?
E954 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E954 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E954: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).