The Lab
Specimen No. 0196
AvoidSyntheticfood harmful sweeteners

Cyclamate

E952

Master DB rating: Avoid. Listed for: Banned in US; EU/Canada/Mexico permitted

medium confidence
Researched July 7, 2026

Concerns

  • Gut bacteria convert cyclamate to cyclohexylamine in a subset of people
  • Early rat feeding studies (1969) suggested bladder tumor promotion, leading to the US ban, but IARC found the evidence inadequate to classify cyclamate as carcinogenic to humans, and well-controlled bioassays conducted after the ban failed to substantiate the original bladder-cancer findings (Bopp et al. 1986); the FDA ban has not been lifted despite this reassessment

Regulatory flags

  • IARC Class: Gr3 (evidence inadequate for human carcinogenicity)
  • EDC Status: None
  • Regulatory: US: FDA banned 1969, ban not reconsidered; EU: permitted with ADI; CA/MX: permitted
  • Evidence Grade: B

Commonly found in

Banned in US; EU/Canada/Mexico permitted

Research disclaimer: This rating is based on available peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments at the time of publication. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for personal health or skin concerns.

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