Is Aspartame Safe During Pregnancy?

Updated September 14, 2026

The Answer

Aspartame is likely safe during pregnancy for most people when consumed in approved food and drink uses within established daily intake limits. This does not apply if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), aspartame requires avoidance or restriction because it contributes phenylalanine.

FDA, Health Canada, and JECFA consider approved aspartame use acceptable within established daily intake limits; these assessments underpin the conclusion that ordinary exposure does not by itself indicate a pregnancy hazard.

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What Is Aspartame?

You may also see it listed as: E951, L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, aspartyl phenylalanine methyl ester

Aspartame is an intense, low calorie artificial sweetener used to sweeten foods and beverages. You may find it in diet drinks, sugar free gum, desserts, tabletop sweeteners, and some medicines. Catalog examples also include drink mixes, yogurt, and preserved fruit.

Does the Form or Amount of Aspartame Matter During Pregnancy?

The conclusion concerns approved consumption within established daily intake limits, not unlimited use. Consider aspartame across the foods, drinks, and tabletop sweeteners you use rather than treating each source separately. General nutrition guidance favors moderation, not using non sugar sweeteners as a weight management strategy.

What Products Contain Aspartame?

Pregnancy Safe has looked at 4,693 products that have aspartame as an ingredient. The category and grade breakdowns below use 32 products whose names mention Aspartame or another name for it.

What Types of Products Contain Aspartame?

Sweetener 30 products

Preserved Fruit 1 product

Sugar Substitute 1 product

Products You May Have That Contain Aspartame

Grade	Product	Brand	Type
B+	0 Calorie Aspartame Sweetener	—	Sweetener
B+	Alike Aspartame Sweetener	—	Sweetener
B+	Aspartame	—	Sweetener
B+	Aspartame No Calorie Sweetener	—	Sweetener
B+	Aspartame Sweetener	—	Sweetener
B+	Aspartame Sweetner	—	Sweetener
B+	Aspartame Zero Calorie Sweetener	—	Sweetener
B+	Light Sliced Strawberries With Aspartame	—	Preserved Fruit

How Do Products Containing Aspartame Score?

It can be helpful to see how products containing aspartame generally score during pregnancy. This does not tell you whether your exact product is safe, but it gives you a general idea of what we found. In this breakdown of 32 products, 100% receive a B grade. A B grade means the complete formula is likely safe, with minimal identified risk.

0 (0%)

32 (100%)

0 (0%)

Frequently Asked Questions About Aspartame During Pregnancy

What if I accidentally consumed aspartame while pregnant?

Ordinary exposure does not by itself indicate a pregnancy hazard. The important exception is PKU, where aspartame requires avoidance or restriction because it contributes phenylalanine.

Can I drink Diet Coke or Coke Zero while pregnant?

The aspartame conclusion alone cannot establish whether a particular drink is suitable during pregnancy. Check the full ingredient list; aspartame is considered acceptable for most people within established daily intake limits, with PKU as an important exception.

Does the advice change between the first, second, and third trimesters?

The available evidence does not establish different advice by trimester. The supported distinctions are approved consumption within established intake limits and the need for avoidance or restriction with PKU.

How much aspartame can I have each day?

FDA sets an acceptable daily intake of 50 mg per kilogram of body weight; JECFA uses 40 mg per kilogram. These are general daily intake limits, not pregnancy intake targets or a reason to consume more. Count all sources, and do not apply these limits if you have PKU, which requires avoidance or restriction.

Is aspartame the safest sweetener during pregnancy?

The available evidence supports its acceptability within established intake limits for most people, but does not rank it against other sweeteners. It also does not support using non sugar sweeteners as a weight management strategy.

What does E951 mean on a food label?

E951 is another name for aspartame. Recognizing it can help you identify the sweetener in foods and drinks, especially if you need to avoid or restrict it because of PKU.

How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?

We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.

A - Safe

Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.

What to do: Use with confidence.

B - Likely Safe

Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.

What to do: Use with confidence.

C - Limit

Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.

What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.

D - Caution

Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.

What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.

F - Avoid

Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.

What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.