The Basics
What is Acesulfame?
Calorie-free sweetener used in the US in such products as candies, baked goods, frozen desserts, beverages, dessert mixes and tabletop sweeteners.
Brand names for Acesulfame
Ace K, Sunett, Sweet One
How Acesulfame is classified
Artificial Sweeteners, Sweetening Agents
Acesulfame During Pregnancy
Acesulfame pregnancy category
Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Acesulfame while pregnant
N/A
Taking Acesulfame While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Acesulfame?
No well-controlled data are available on the extent of passage of acesulfame into breastmilk. However, acesulfame has been found in variable concentrations in the breastmilk of nursing mothers who report consuming artificially sweetened beverages and sweetener packets in the past 24 hours. Even some mothers who reported not consuming artificial sweeteners have small amounts of acesulfame in their breastmilk. Some authors suggest that women may wish to limit the consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners while breastfeeding because their effect on the nursing infants are unknown.[1][2]
Maternal / infant drug levels
No well-controlled data are available on the extent of passage of acesulfame into breastmilk. However, acesulfame has been found in variable concentrations in the breastmilk of nursing mothers who report consuming artificially sweetened beverages and sweetener packets in the past 24 hours. Even some mothers who reported not consuming artificial sweeteners have small amounts of acesulfame in their breastmilk. Some authors suggest that women may wish to limit the consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners while breastfeeding because their effect on the nursing infants are unknown.[1][2]
Possible effects of Acesulfame on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Acesulfame
Aspartame.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Sylvetsky AC, Gardner AL, Bauman V et al. Nonnutritive sweeteners in breast milk. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2015;78:1029-32. PMID: 26267522
2. Rother KI, Sylvetsky AC, Schiffman SS. Non-nutritive sweeteners in breast milk: Perspective on potential implications of recent findings. Arch Toxicol. 2015;89:2169-71. PMID: 26462668
3. Rother KI, Sylvetsky AC, Walter PJ et al. Pharmacokinetics of sucralose and acesulfame-potassium in breast milk following ingestion of diet soda. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2018;66:466-70. PMID: 29077645
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
