Is e961 vegan?

E961 is the E-number for neotame, an artificial high-intensity sweetener and flavor enhancer. It is a chemical derivative of aspartame but possesses a much higher level of sweetness. Food manufacturers utilize neotame in a wide range of low-calorie and sugar-free products, including carbonated beverages, chewing gum, dairy alternatives, baked goods, confectioneries, jams, and tabletop sweeteners.

This additive is produced entirely through laboratory synthesis. It is created by combining aspartame with 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde in a chemical reaction involving reductive alkylation. The precursor amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, are typically manufactured on an industrial scale through bacterial fermentation using plant-based nutrients, while the aldehyde component is derived from petrochemical sources. No animal tissues, animal fats, or animal-derived processing aids are utilized during its synthesis or purification.

Because neotame is made exclusively from synthetic and microbial sources, E961 is considered vegan.