Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color)
E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
E101 (Riboflavin / Vitamin B2) is an authorized yellow food colorant and essential micronutrient produced via microbial fermentation of Ashbya gossypii. INS 101(i), ADI is 0.5 mg/kg bw/day, commonly used to fortify cereals and color sauces.
E951 (Aspartame) is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide yielding ~200x the sweetness of sucrose. INS 951, ADI is 40 mg/kg bw/day, the historic sweetener in Diet Coke and tabletop sweetener packets.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E101 | E951 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 101(i) | INS 951 |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Yellow-Orange), Nutrient Fortificant | High-Intensity Artificial Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
0.5 mg / kg body weight per day | 40 mg / kg body weight per day (US FDA: 50 mg/kg) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Yellow chromophore acting as precursor to flavin coenzymes (FAD/FMN) | Stimulates T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors with clean, sugar-like taste profile |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Fortified breakfast cereals, baby foods, pasta, dairy desserts, energy drinks | Diet sodas, tabletop sweetener packets (Equal), sugar-free gelatin desserts, drink mixes |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Microbial fermentation), Halal, Kosher | Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, Contains Phenylalanine (Warning for PKU patients mandatory) |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.450) | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.804) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
C17H20N4O6 | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 4.0 kcal / g (Negligible at use levels / ~0.1 kcal per serving) kcal/g |
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