Aspartame vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse?

FactorAspartamePropylene Glycol
E-NumberE951E1520
CategorySweetenerAdditive
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved since 1981 (dry foods) and 1983 (beverages). Classified as GRAS-equivalent. FDA's ADI is 50 mg/kg body weig…FDA classifies propylene glycol as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1666) for direct addition to food at levels not to exceed 5% of tota…
EFSA StatusEFSA completed a comprehensive risk assessment in 2013, confirming safety at the ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight/day. In Jul…EFSA established a group ADI of 25 mg/kg body weight/day for propylene glycol (E 1520) in 2018. EFSA noted that dietary …
Banned In——
Products Found300198

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Aspartame

Propylene Glycol

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Which Products Use Each?

300
products contain Aspartame
198
products contain Propylene Glycol

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Aspartame and Propylene Glycol have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aspartame or Propylene Glycol worse?
Both Aspartame and Propylene Glycol have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Aspartame and Propylene Glycol?
Aspartame is a sweetener, while Propylene Glycol is a additive. They serve different functions in food products.
Are Aspartame and Propylene Glycol banned?
Aspartame is not currently banned in any major market. Propylene Glycol is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Aspartame and Propylene Glycol?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Aspartame and Propylene Glycol and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

Aspartame vs SucraloseAspartame vs High Fructose Corn SyrupAspartame vs Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)Aspartame vs ErythritolAspartame vs MaltodextrinRed 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Aspartame
Aspartame Deep Dive Propylene Glycol Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Aspartame vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-propylene-glycol
MLA"Aspartame vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-17. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-propylene-glycol.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-propylene-glycol">Aspartame vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsaspartamevspropyleneglycol, title = {Aspartame vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-propylene-glycol}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-17} }