Acesulfame Potassium vs Mineral Oil: which is worse?

What is Acesulfame Potassium?

Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) is a calorie-free synthetic sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. It contains a potassium atom bonded to an oxathiazinone dioxide ring structure. It is heat-stable and non-metabolized, passing through the body unchanged. Often blended with sucralose or aspartame to mask bitter aftertaste.

What is Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil (E905) is a refined petroleum product used as a food-grade lubricant, coating agent, and glazing agent in food processing and production. Food-grade mineral oil is a highly refined grade of petroleum distillate with specifications limiting impurities. It differs from pharmaceutical-grade (Vaseline) and cosmetic-grade mineral oils in refinement level.

Documented risks

Acesulfame Potassium: The safety database for Ace-K is considered less comprehensive than that for other sweeteners. Critics have argued that the original FDA approval studies from the 1970s-1980s were insufficient in quality and length to definitively establish long-term safety. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has petitioned for additional testing. Two rat studies found statistically significant increases in lung tumors (in male rats) and mammary tumors at high doses. Regulatory agencies have argued these doses far exceeded typical human exposure and attributed the tumor findings to other factors. However, the question of whether Ace-K's approval studies meet modern standards has been raised by independent researchers. A 2021 study in Cell found that Ace-K and other non-nutritive sweeteners altered gut microbiome composition and affected glucose tolerance in some human participants. Ace-K specifically was associated with changes in gut bacteria that correlated with glycemic effects. Neurological concerns: some animal studies suggest Ace-K may affect brain neurotransmitter systems. A 2013 study in PLoS ONE found that Ace-K consumption in pregnant mice altered offspring postnatal taste preference and increased weight gain, suggesting potential transgenerational effects. These findings were at doses exceeding typical human intake. Endocrine disruption potential has been raised in some in vitro studies, but comprehensive human data are lacking.

Mineral Oil: EFSA has raised significant concerns about mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) contamination in food through two pathways: (1) deliberate food-grade mineral oil use in coatings and processing, and (2) migration from recycled paper and cardboard food packaging into food. MOH comprises two types: mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), which accumulate in human adipose tissue, liver, and spleen, and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), which include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are potentially carcinogenic. A 2011 Swiss study found mineral oil hydrocarbons in human liver and spleen samples from autopsy, demonstrating real bioaccumulation. EFSA's 2023 preliminary opinion identified MOAH contamination in food as a safety concern that cannot be dismissed, recommending ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) minimization. Untreated and mildly treated mineral oils are IARC Group 1 human carcinogens for occupational inhalation. Highly refined food-grade mineral oil (E905) is not classified as a direct carcinogen, but MOAH contamination in even food-grade mineral oil is an ongoing concern.