Aspartame Resources: Reports on Aspartame Safety from Reliable Sources

SAFETY CONFIRMED

Recent Highlights:

Updated Position Paper on Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners Published in JADA (February, 2004)
The positive role low- and reduced-calorie sweeteners may play in the diet, “Position of the American Dietetic Association: Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners,” has been published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The updated position statement concludes that, “consumers who want the taste of added sweetness without added energy may select nonnutritive sweeteners to assist in the management of weight, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Nonnutritive sweeteners also have the potential to assist in dental health and dietary quality.” Specifically regarding aspartame, the position paper notes, " A comprehensive review of the safety of aspartame has recently been published. The review covers previous publications as well as new information that support the safety of aspartame as a food additive...".

European Food Safety Authority Reconfirms Clean Bill of Health Aspartame
The food safety authority in Europe, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) of the European Commission, has reconfirmed aspartame’s clean bill of health following a comprehensive review of the sweetener’s safety. "The Committee concluded that on the basis of its review of all the data in animals and humans available to date, there is no evidence to suggest that there is a need to revise the outcome…” of the prior endorsement of aspartame's safety. The SCF is a body of independent scientific experts, which advises the European Commission on matters of food safety; its aspartame report was issued on December 10, 2002.

U.K. Food Standards Agency
On December 18, 2002, the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a statement announcing that “the Agency supports the conclusions of the Committee’s [Scientific Committee on Food] thorough and timely review on the safety of the sweetener [aspartame].”

The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) Supports Safety of Aspartame
The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) recently reported a two-year study by the French Expert Committee on Flavourings, Food Additives and Processing Aids and has confirmed the safety of aspartame once again. The AFSSA was asked to review an alleged link between aspartame and brain tumors. The report, published on May 7, 2002, noted, "In conclusion, AFSSA considers that the current state of scientific knowledge does not enable a relationship to be established between the exposition to the aspartame and brain tumors in humans or animals.

Health Canada Re-affirms Aspartame’s Safety (February, 2003)
Health Canada states, "...Before consideration was given to permitting aspartame for use in foods in Canada, officials of Health Canada evaluated an extensive array of toxicological tests in laboratory animals and, since its listing for use, they have examined the results of a number of clinical studies in humans. There is no evidence to suggest that the consumption of foods containing this sweetener, according to the provisions of the Food and Drug Regulations and as part of a well-balanced diet, would pose a health hazard to consumers."

FDA Consumer Magazine (May-June 2002) Confirms Safety of Aspartame
The FDA considers aspartame to be one of the most thoroughly tested and studied food additives the agency has ever approved. More than 100 toxicological and clinical studies reviewed by the agency confirm that aspartame is safe for the general population.