❌ Safety Verdict: Avoid (Banned in US)
E952 (Cyclamate) is banned in the US since 1969 due to bladder cancer concerns in animal studies. Approved in UK/EU and 50+ countries, but evidence remains controversial. Gut bacteria convert cyclamate to cyclohexylamine – a potentially toxic compound. Best avoided.
🚨 Banned in US Since 1969
Cyclamate was one of the first food additives banned in the US:
- 1969: FDA banned cyclamate after rat studies showed bladder cancer
- Remains banned in US 55+ years later
- Also banned in: Philippines, some other countries
- Approved in UK/EU but with strict limits
The ban controversy continues – some argue it's safe, others support the precautionary ban.
What is E952 (Cyclamate)?
E952 includes cyclamic acid and its sodium/calcium salts (sodium cyclamate most common), discovered accidentally in 1937.
Forms:
- Sodium cyclamate (most common)
- Calcium cyclamate
- Cyclamic acid (pure form)
Sweetness:
- 30-50 times sweeter than sugar (least sweet of artificial sweeteners)
- No bitter aftertaste – pleasant, sugar-like taste
- Often blended with saccharin (synergistic effect – 10x sweetness boost)
Why it was used:
- Zero calories
- Cheap to produce
- Heat stable
- No aftertaste compared to saccharin alone
Where is Cyclamate Found? (UK/EU Only)
Not in US products. In UK/EU:
Table-top Sweeteners:
- Sweet'N Low (UK version contains cyclamate + saccharin)
- Hermesetas (some varieties)
- Generic sweetener tablets
Low-Calorie Foods:
- Sugar-free soft drinks (less common now – mostly replaced by aspartame/sucralose)
- Diabetic foods
- Sugar-free desserts
- Low-calorie jams
Non-Food Uses:
- Toothpaste (rare)
- Mouthwash (rare)
- Chewable vitamins
Why is Cyclamate Banned in the US?
The 1969 Ban Story:
- Late 1960s studies: Rats fed high doses of cyclamate developed bladder tumours
- Delaney Clause: US law required banning any additive causing cancer in animals at any dose
- 1969: FDA banned cyclamate from all food and drinks
- Public panic: Cyclamate was in Tab, Diet Pepsi, etc. – major reformulation required
Post-Ban Research:
- Follow-up studies: Failed to consistently replicate bladder cancer findings
- Human studies: No clear cancer link in epidemiological research
- Approval elsewhere: 50+ countries (including UK/EU, Canada) approved cyclamate
- FDA petitions: Multiple attempts to overturn ban – all rejected
Why US Ban Remains:
- Precautionary principle – better safe than sorry
- Cyclohexylamine conversion (see below)
- Availability of alternatives (aspartame, sucralose)
- Political/economic factors – no strong push to reinstate
Health Concerns
1. Bladder Cancer Risk (Animal Studies)
- Original 1960s studies showed bladder tumours in rats
- Follow-up studies inconsistent – some showed tumours, others didn't
- Human evidence weak – no clear cancer link in population studies
- Controversy continues – insufficient to definitively prove or disprove risk
2. Cyclohexylamine Conversion (Major Concern)
Critical issue: Some people's gut bacteria convert cyclamate to cyclohexylamine – a potentially toxic compound:
- About 10-20% of people have gut bacteria that make this conversion
- Cyclohexylamine is toxic to liver and testes in animal studies
- May cause DNA damage
- Long-term effects unknown in humans
Why this matters: You don't know if you're a "converter" without testing. If you are, cyclamate consumption produces a toxic metabolite.
3. Testicular Damage (Animal Studies)
- High-dose cyclohexylamine caused testicular atrophy in rats
- Concern for male reproductive health
- Human relevance unclear
4. Blood Pressure Concerns
- Sodium cyclamate contains sodium
- May contribute to high blood pressure in sensitive individuals
- Calcium cyclamate is sodium-free alternative
Regulatory Status
UK/EU: Approved with ADI of 7mg per kg body weight (relatively low – suggests caution)
US: BANNED since 1969
Canada: Approved since 2014 (was banned, then reinstated)
Australia/New Zealand: Approved (Code 952)
50+ countries: Approved worldwide
Cyclamate vs Saccharin Blends
Cyclamate is often blended with saccharin because:
- Synergistic sweetness – together they're 10x sweeter than individually
- Masks saccharin's bitter aftertaste
- Common ratio: 10 parts cyclamate : 1 part saccharin
Product example: Sweet'N Low (UK) contains both cyclamate and saccharin.
Who Should Avoid Cyclamate?
❌ Must Avoid:
- Anyone in the US – it's banned
- Pregnant women – precautionary (crosses placenta)
- Men concerned about fertility – testicular effects in animals
- People with high blood pressure (if using sodium cyclamate)
⚠️ Consider Avoiding:
- Everyone in UK/EU – US ban suggests legitimate concerns
- Anyone uncomfortable with cyclohexylamine conversion risk
- Children – long-term safety unclear
Safer Alternatives
- Stevia (E960) – natural, well-studied
- Aspartame (E951) – 100+ safety studies (avoid if PKU)
- Sucralose (E955) – generally well-tolerated
- Erythritol – sugar alcohol, natural
The Bottom Line
- ❌ Banned in US since 1969 – 55+ years
- ⚠️ Bladder cancer concerns – animal studies inconsistent
- ⚠️ Cyclohexylamine conversion – 10-20% of people produce toxic metabolite
- ⚠️ Testicular damage in animal studies
- ⚠️ Low ADI in EU – suggests regulatory caution
- ✅ Approved in 50+ countries – many consider it safe
- ⚠️ Better alternatives available – aspartame, stevia, sucralose
Our recommendation: Avoid cyclamate. The US ban, cyclohexylamine conversion risk, and availability of better-studied alternatives make this an easy decision. If you're in the UK and see "E952" or "sodium cyclamate" on labels, choose products with aspartame, stevia, or sucralose instead.
🔍 Track E952 with NutraSafe
Scan barcodes to identify cyclamate and all artificial sweeteners in your food.
Try NutraSafe Now
Last updated: February 2026