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neotame is an artificial Sweetener made by that is between 7,000 and 13,000 times sweeter than (table sugar). In the European Union it is known by the E961. Neotame is moderately heat stable and extremely potent. Neotame is rapidly metabolized and completely eliminated and does not accumulate in the body.
The major metabolic pathway is of the methyl by that are present throughout the body, which yields de-esterified neotame and . Because only trace amounts of neotame are needed to sweeten foods, the amount of methanol derived from neotame is much lower than that found in common foods, such as fruit and vegetable juices. It has the characteristic aftertaste common to artificial sweeteners.
The product is attractive to food manufacturers as its use greatly lowers the cost of production compared to using sugar or high fructose corn syrup (due to the lower quantities needed to achieve the same sweetening) while also benefitting the consumer by providing fewer "empty" sugar calories and a lower impact on blood sugar.
It is chemically similar to the artificial sweetener , but is used at vastly lower levels and is more stable. Chemically, it has a 3,3-dimethylbutyl group attached to the amino group of the portion of the molecule. Peptidases, which would typically break the peptide bond between the aspartic acid and phenylalanine moieties, are effectively blocked by the presence of the 3,3-dimethylbutyl moiety, thus reducing the production of , thereby making its consumption by those who suffer from safe.
Neotame was approved by the (FDA) for general use in July 2002, but is not yet widely used in food products. Neotame also is approved for use in Australia and New Zealand. Neotame is assigned the International Numbering System (INS) Food Additive code 961