Saccharin[2]

Updated: 2026-09-12

Overview

Saccharin is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners, discovered in 1879. It is a non-nutritive sweetener that provides sweetness without calories, making it popular in diet products and sugar-free foods. As a benzoic sulfimide compound, saccharin is chemically stable and retains its sweetness even when heated, unlike some other artificial sweeteners. This thermal stability makes it suitable for baked goods and processed foods.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Saccharin appears as white crystals or crystalline powder with an intensely sweet taste, approximately 300-400 times sweeter than sucrose. It has negligible caloric content as it is not metabolized by the human body. The compound is stable under normal storage conditions and maintains its sweetness over long periods. Its solubility increases significantly with temperature, from 1 g/290 mL at room temperature to 1 g/25 mL in boiling water. This property is important for industrial applications requiring dissolution.

Main Applications

The primary use of saccharin is as a sugar substitute in low-calorie and diabetic foods. It's commonly found in soft drinks, tabletop sweeteners, baked goods, and canned fruits. Beyond food applications, saccharin is used in pharmaceuticals to mask bitter tastes in medicines and in oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash. Its stability makes it particularly valuable in products requiring long shelf life or heat processing.

Safety and Storage

While saccharin is approved by most food safety agencies worldwide, some restrictions apply in certain countries. It's generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, though products containing it must carry a warning label in some markets. Proper storage involves keeping the material in tightly sealed containers away from moisture and extreme temperatures. Industrial users should ensure good ventilation in storage areas to prevent dust accumulation.

B2B Procurement Guide

When procuring saccharin for industrial use, consider the required purity grade (food-grade typically 99%+), packaging options (bags, drums, or bulk), and regulatory compliance for your target market. Quality verification should include certificate of analysis review for purity, heavy metal content, and other impurities. Lead times may vary seasonally, so advance planning is recommended. Many suppliers offer both powder and liquid forms depending on application needs.