Neotame
Neotame suppliers and sourcing guide
Neotame is a high-intensity sweetener made from aspartame by attaching a 3,3-dimethylbutyl group to the aspartic acid portion of the molecule, then purifying and drying it to a white powder. FDA describes it as roughly 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than table sugar and heat stable. Because use levels are tiny, brands usually buy it pre-diluted on a carrier or in a sweetener blend rather than neat.
- Category
- Sweeteners
- Also known as
- E961 · N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester · CAS 165450-17-9
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of neotame
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Neat powder
Pure neotame for manufacturers with precise micro-dosing equipment or who make their own pre-blends.
Carrier pre-blends
Neotame diluted on maltodextrin, dextrose or another carrier at a stated ratio so it can be weighed with normal scales.
Liquid solutions
Neotame dissolved at a stated concentration for beverage and syrup dosing.
Sweetener blends
Neotame combined with other sweeteners such as sucralose or acesulfame potassium at a fixed ratio.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Assay
- Neotame content on a dry basis by HPLC; 21 CFR 172.829 sets 97.0 to 102.0 percent.
- Free dipeptide acid and related substances
- Neotame's de-esterified form (free dipeptide acid, max 1.5 percent) and other related substances (max 2.0 percent) by HPLC.
- Water
- Water content, typically by Karl Fischer, against the 5.0 percent maximum in the regulation.
- Lead
- Lead by ICP-MS or atomic absorption against the 2.0 mg/kg maximum in 21 CFR 172.829.
- Specific rotation and residue on ignition
- Optical rotation as an identity and purity check, plus residue on ignition (max 0.2 percent).
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep neotame sealed in a cool, dry place away from light. Pre-blends should be stored the same way and kept well mixed, because a carrier can separate from the sweetener if the container is jolted or partly used. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with retest of assay and related substances to extend it.
Lots and expiry dates
For pre-blends, record the stated neotame concentration and the assay for each lot, since a small change in concentration changes sweetness noticeably. Record the free dipeptide acid result on older lots, as it rises when neotame degrades.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 172.829 permits neotame as a sweetening agent and flavor enhancer in foods generally, except in meat and poultry.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 172.829 sets specifications for neotame including an assay of 97.0 to 102.0 percent on a dry basis and lead of not more than 2.0 mg/kg.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada includes neotame in its List of Permitted Sweeteners, with maximum levels set by food category.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Neotame suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking neotame suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell neotame? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of neotame can brands buy?
Common forms include neat powder, carrier pre-blends, liquid solutions and sweetener blends. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for neotame include?
Expect assay, free dipeptide acid and related substances, water, lead and specific rotation and residue on ignition, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should neotame be stored?
Keep neotame sealed in a cool, dry place away from light. Pre-blends should be stored the same way and kept well mixed, because a carrier can separate from the sweetener if the container is jolted or partly used. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with retest of assay and related substances to extend it.
What is the regulatory status of neotame?
21 CFR 172.829 permits neotame as a sweetening agent and flavor enhancer in foods generally, except in meat and poultry. 21 CFR 172.829 sets specifications for neotame including an assay of 97.0 to 102.0 percent on a dry basis and lead of not more than 2.0 mg/kg. Health Canada includes neotame in its List of Permitted Sweeteners, with maximum levels set by food category.
More sweeteners
- AlluloseD-allulose · D-psicose
- Monk Fruit ExtractLuo han guo extract · Siraitia grosvenorii fruit extract
- Steviastevia leaf extract · steviol glycosides
- SucraloseE955 · 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside
- AspartameE951 · L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester
- Acesulfame potassiumAcesulfame K · Ace-K
- SaccharinSodium saccharin · Calcium saccharin
- AdvantameE969 · CAS 714229-20-6
- ErythritolE968 · meso-erythritol
- XylitolE967 · birch sugar
- SorbitolE420 · D-glucitol
- MaltitolE965 · 4-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-glucitol
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