EN 1377:1996

Overview

EN 1377:1996 is a CEN (European) standard titled "Foodstuffs - Determination of acesulfame K in table top sweetener preparations - Spectrometric method." It specifies a validated spectrometric analytical procedure for determining acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K) in solid table-top sweetener products. The standard was adopted by several national bodies (e.g., SIST EN 1377:1998) and includes results from an inter‑laboratory test to demonstrate method repeatability and reproducibility.

Key topics and requirements

The standard focuses on the analytical workflow and quality requirements for reliable quantification of acesulfame K in solid sweeteners. Main technical topics include:

• Scope and applicability: method limited to solid table-top sweetener preparations containing acesulfame K (not intended for liquid matrices).
• Sample handling: guidance on representative sampling, homogenization and sample preparation for spectrometric analysis.
• Analytical principle: a spectrometric technique (spectrophotometry/spectrometry) is specified for measuring acesulfame K concentration.
• Calibration and standards: requirement for calibration using appropriate reference solutions and handling of blanks and controls.
• Quality assurance: inclusion of controls, method validation parameters and reference to inter-laboratory test results that support method performance.
• Reporting: conventions for expressing results, units, and necessary laboratory metadata to ensure traceability.

(Note: EN 1377:1996 describes the method and validation approach; it does not prescribe proprietary instruments or brand-specific reagents.)

Applications

This standard is used where accurate, reproducible measurement of acesulfame K in solid sweeteners is required:

• Quality control in food and sweetener manufacturing (production QA/QC of table-top sweetener tablets and sachets).
• Analytical and contract laboratories conducting routine sweetener analysis and compliance testing.
• Regulatory and food safety laboratories verifying labeling claims and compliance with food additive regulations.
• Research and development teams formulating or reformulating low-calorie sweetener products.

Using EN 1377 helps ensure consistent sweetener analysis, robust quality control, and comparability of results across laboratories.

Related standards

• Relevant CEN/EN methods for sweeteners and sugar products and national adoptions (e.g., SIST EN 1377:1998).
• Other analytical standards covering different sweeteners (e.g., methods for saccharin, aspartame, sucralose) may be used in parallel when products contain multiple sweeteners.

Keywords: EN 1377, acesulfame K, table top sweetener, spectrometric method, CEN standard, sweetener analysis, foodstuffs standard, analytical method.