Healthcare FAQs

Finding the right answers to your patients' questions is critical to giving them the care they need. You'll find answers and information below that help you field your patients' most frequent questions.

Equal Classic Product Information

What is Equal Classic?

Equal is a no-calorie, tabletop sweetener that contains aspartame as the sweetening ingredient.
Aspartame is a dipeptide composed of two amino acids: aspartic acid and the methyl ester of phenylalanine.
The components in aspartame are similar to those found in everyday foods such as meat, milk, fruits and vegetables.

How long does Equal Classic stay fresh?

Equal has an indefinite shelf life if stored away from heat and humidity.
Store Equal as you would sugar.

In what forms is Equal Classic available?

Equal Classic Packets—Pre-measured for convenience; great for beverages and cereal.
Equal Classic Spoonful—Measures cup-for-cup like sugar; perfect for recipes.
Equal Classic Tablets—For on-the-go convenience.
Equal's entire family of products can help your patients keep enjoying the good things in life without all the calories and carbohydrates of sugar.

Using Equal in Recipes

Can Equal be used in recipes?

Equal can be used in a variety of recipes. For best results, use specially designed Equal recipes or add Equal after removing dishes from heat.
Equal recipes are lower in calories and carbohydrates than tradition versions, and include nutritional information and food exchanges to aid in meal
planning. Sugar substitutes cannot provide the bulk, tenderness, and browning properties of sugar.
Our Recipe Fact Sheet includes hints and tips for using Equal in recipes.

Can Equal be used at high temperatures?

Yes. Equal recipes use a variety of cooking times and temperatures. The Equal Apple Pie, for instance, bakes at 400°F for 40 to 50 minutes.

Product Safety

Is Equal Classic safe?

Yes. Equal's safety has been affirmed by the Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association.
Aspartame is one of the most widely tested food ingredients, having been the subject of more than 200 scientific studies.
Our Aspartame Fact Sheet answers the most frequently asked questions about aspartame safety. The fact sheet is sponsored by the Calorie Control Council and was reviewed by the American Dietetic Association's Fact Sheet Review Board.
"Since aspartame is broken down into these components (aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol) before it is absorbed into the blood stream, aspartame in its initial form does not have the opportunity to travel to target organs, including the brain, to cause cancer." (Source: The American Cancer Society)

How much Equal Classic can be safely consumed?

The FDA-recommended Acceptable Daily Intake is 50 mg per each kg of body weight. For a 150-lb. adult, this is the equivalent of 87 packets of Equal Classic per day.
The rare exception is patients with phenylketonuria, who should typically avoid using aspartame.

Does Equal Classic cause headaches?

No. "Aspartame is no more likely to produce headaches than placebo." (Source: Schiffman, Susan. "Aspartame and Susceptibility to Headache," The New England Journal of Medicine, 1987)

Does Equal Classic cause allergic reactions?

No. "Studies have found no association between aspartame and allergic reactions." (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)

Is Equal Classic safe to use during pregnancy or while nursing?

Yes. "Aspartame is safe for both mother and developing baby." (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Nutrition)

Does using Equal Classic cause hyperactivity in children?

No. "Studies have shown that aspartame consumption does not affect the behavior of children." (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)

Is Equal Classic safe at high temperatures?

Yes. Exposing foods containing aspartame to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time does not cause any hazardous chemical changes.

Could using Equal Classic cause weight gain?

No. Equal Classic has zero calories and can be an effective part of a weight management program.
"Intense sweeteners have never been found to cause weight gain in humans." (Source: Rolls, BJ. "Effect of utraSweet® on Body Weight," 1991)
You'll find these and other aspartame safety statements from leading health organizations in our Aspartame Reference Sheet.