Cov khoom qab zib muaj qhov muaj txiaj ntsig tseem ceeb rau lub ntiaj teb cov zaub mov, los ntawm 8 lab tons hauv 1900 txog 70 lab tons hauv xyoo 1970. Raws li tib neeg cov kev noj qab haus huv xav tau ntau dua thiab xav tau, cov peev xwm cov khoom qab zib yog xav tias yuav tsawg lossis tsawg xoom li sai tau, nrog zoo saj thiab tus nqi tsim nyog. Ze li ntawm ib puas xyoo ua ntej xyoo 1950 thiab 1960, feem ntau ntawm cov khoom qab zib siv hauv kev lag luam khoom noj tau sucrose thiab saccharin los ntawm petrochemicals. Tom qab xyoo 1950 thiab 1960, cov khoom qab zib xws li cyclamate, dipeptide sweetener, muaj protein ntau, acesulfame potassium thiab alitame tau tshwm sim hauv Asmeskas, Europe thiab Nyij Pooj.
