A sugar substitute that provides a sweet taste like that of sugar, makes it a zero calorie or low-calorie sweetener. When these sweeteners are provided for restaurant customers to add to tea or coffee, they are provided in small packets. In North America, the colours of packets are typically blue for 'aspartame'.

"Aspartame" is an artificial non-saccharide sweetener. Aspartame is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalaline dipeptide (C14H18N2O5).

Aspartame was initially approved for use in food products by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981. It has been found to be safe for more than ninety countries worldwide, with FDA officials describing 'aspartame' as one of the most thoroughly tested and studied food additives the agency has ever approved. The primary source for exposure to 'aspartame' in the United States is diet soft drinks. A12 US fluid ounce (355ml) can of diet soda contains 180 milligrams (0.0063 O2 oz) of 'aspartame'.

Aspartame is around 180-200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). The sweetness lasts longer than that of sucrose.

Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M.Schlatter at G.D,Searle Company. It can be used as a table top sweetener or in frozen desserts, gelatin, beverages, and chewing gum.

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