Efsa have evaluated these new studies and in a statement dated 28 feb 2011, efsa concluded that these two recent publications did not give reason to reconsider previous safety assessments of aspartame or of other sweeteners currently authorized in the european union. The european food safety authority efsa has received the primary data for ramazzini foudations recent study on the sweetener aspartame and is commencing its risk assessment as a matter of priority. The panel also said there was no risk to the developing foetus from aspartame consumption, and that aspartame does not harm the brain, nervous system or cognitive function in. This is a faithful summary of the leading report produced in 20 by the european food safety authority efsa. As soon as all the data have been provided to efsa by the institute in bologna, including full pathology reports which are still in preparation, the panel will start its evaluation, said the european food safety authority. Scientists at the ramazzini foundation found that when administered to rats for their entire life span, aspartame, an artificial sweetener used in more than 6,000 food and pharmaceutical products, induces an increase in lymphomas and. In efsas 20 scientific opinion of the safety of aspartame, the authority concluded that aspartame and its breakdown products pose no toxicity concern for consumers at current levels of exposure. Aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure, efsa concludes in its first full risk assessment of this sweetener. This fourpage summary of the safety of aspartame was written by efsa staff directly involved in this work. Risk assessments of aspartame, acesulfame k, sucralose and. Aspartame, updated assessment of risks on health, cancer. The author reaches the conclusion that aspartame consumption by the general public knowing consumption with an uncontrolled diet may indirectly cause weight gain through a reverse placebo effect with the following rationales. The most recent official attempt to settle the controversy was provided by the european food safety authoritys or efsa panel on food additives and nutrient sources added to food or ans in december 20.
Aspartame is a sweetener authorised as a food additive in the eu. Two eu experts responsible for evaluating aspartame failed to. Despite of contradictory studies, food safety organizations such as the fda, the fao, and the efsa, are still authorizing daily use of aspartame at an acceptable daily intake dai for all. The expert panel concluded that aspartame is a safe sweetener, which has been studied exhaustively and can help reduce the calorie content of many foods, said dr. Prior to the establishment of efsa in 2002, this function was carried out by the eu scientific. Anartificialsweetenerisalowcaloriesubstanceusedassweetenertoreplacesugars. European food safety authority reconfirms safety of aspartame.
In previous evaluations by jecfa and the scf, an adi of 40 mgkg bwday was established based on chronic toxicity in animals. Of the studies which searle completed, 15 chronic studies including. Scientists at the ramazzini foundation found that when administered to rats for their entire life span, aspartame, an artificial sweetener used in more than 6,000 food and pharmaceutical products, induces an increase in. Efsa conclude aspartame and its breakdown products are. On 10 december 20, the european food safety authority efsa released its opinion on the reevaluation of aspartame as a food additive and concluded that aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current intake levels. Aspartame levels still safe, says efsa by sarah hills, 22apr2009. Scientific opinion on the reevaluation of aspartame e 951 as a food. Efsas extremely flimsy safety argument for aspartame. Atlanta april 21, 2009 the european food safety authority efsa has once again confirmed the safety of aspartame.
Aspartame is a low calorie sweetener that, used on its own to sweeten foods and drinks, tastes just like sugar. Efsa conclude aspartame and its breakdown products are safe. The panel takes note of the previous evaluations of. Similar to the efsa opinion, in 2007, an extensive evaluation of the safety of over 500 studies related to aspartame concluded that the use of aspartame is safe. Symrise download business advice a matter of taste.
If this is what efsa calls openness and transparency it fails the laugh test. Both the fsa and efsa were created to end the subordination of food safety policymaking to industrial and commercial concerns, and instead to put consumers first and to do so in a transparent and. I have added to the external links as it has been used an example in multiple published in thirdparty publications discussing the medical misinformation on the internetsufficient for mention in text. Aspartame aspartame iii is made from two amino acid components, l. The urgent need for regulatory reevaluation morando soffritti, md, michela padovani, mph, eva tibaldi, phd, laura falcioni, dmv, fabiana manservisi, phd, and fiorella belpoggi, phd aspartame apm is an arti.
An overview is given of existing trace analytical methods for the determination of seven popular artificial sweeteners acesulfame ace. Efsa conclude aspartame and its breakdown products are safe last updated. Efsas reevaluation of aspartame british nutrition foundation. Aspartame is possibly the most controversial food additive in widespread use, with an enormous list of selfreported symptoms linked to its consumption.
Aspartame is made of the two naturally occurring amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, which are also components of proteins in our body and in food. The european food safety authority efsa has denied a suggestion by two meps that it may have lost data relating to a previous safety evaluation of the high intensity sweetener aspartame e951 and that it failed to examine it properly in the first place. Corporate europe observatory and reseau environnement sante september 2011. Replacing highcalorie foods in your diet with lowcalorie alternatives is a proven method to lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight. Amongst food additives, aspartame is one of the most controversial, especially in the usa, but also in the uk and the eu. Sep 23, 2008 on 14 july 2005, the ramazzini foundation held a press conference on the cancer risks posed by the sweetener aspartame, which received worldwide media attention. The efsa journal 2006 356, 144 opinion of the scientific panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food afc on a request from the commission related to a new longterm carcinogenicity study on aspartame question number efsa q2005122 adopted on 3 may 2006 summary. Efsa on aspartame, january and december 20 this document provides an outline critique of the recent publication by the european food safety authority of its scientific opinion on the reevaluation of aspartame e 951 as a food additive, on 10th december 20 and an earlier draft assessment issued on 8th january 20. Aspartame prepared at the 25th jecfa 1981, published in fnp 19 1981 and in fnp 52 1992. Two eu experts responsible for evaluating aspartame failed.
Efsa explains the safety of aspartame european food. European food safety authority efsa aspartame info. On 10 december 20, the european food safety authority efsa released its opinion on the reevaluation of aspartame as a food additive and concluded that aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current intake levels aspartame is authorised in the eu for use as an. The draft report on the safety of aspartame, issued by the european food safety authoritys ans panel on 8 january 20, is deeply flawed.
Aspartame, updated assessment of risks on health, cancer and pregnancy context aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweetener, is it safe. The efsa journal 2006 356, 144 opinion of the scientific panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food afc on a request from the commission related to a new longterm carcinogenicity study on aspartame question. On 14 july 2005, the ramazzini foundation held a press conference on the cancer risks posed by the sweetener aspartame, which received worldwide media attention. As the low calorie sweetener that most closely replicates the taste of sugar, aspartame plays a key role in enabling food and drink manufacturers to. Weve been here before the european food safety authority efsa once again acts as a poodle for big food by declaring aspartame safe throwing science and precaution to the winds in the process serial controversy. The agency referenced the studies in issuing a public call for aspartame e951 data that runs until september 30, this year and which it said will be, the most thorough and uptodate yet. The efsa ans panel provides a scientific opinion on the safety of aspartame e 951. However, a study by experts on behalf of the european food safety authority efsa, has found it has no harmful effects. Two experts from the european food safety authority efsa in charge of evaluaingt food additives, including aspartame, have failed to report active collaborations. Efsa confirms access to 1980s aspartame data as it calls. The european food safety authority efsa once again acts as a poodle for big food by declaring aspartame safe throwing science and precaution to the winds in the process. Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 57th jecfa 2001 an adi of 040 mgkg bw was established at the 25th jecfa 1981 synonyms aspartyl. In europe, it is authorised to be used as a food additive in foodstuffs such as drinks, desserts, sweets, dairy, chewing gums, energyreducing and weight control products and as a tabletop sweetener.
Please consider this a response to your letter of october 14th to rich murray requesting my work by november 5th. Aspartame is an intense, lowcalorie, artificial sweetener. Risk communication, media amplification and the aspartame. Although nutritive, containing 4 kcal g 1 like any other protein substance, due to its intense sweetness, the amounts used are small enough for aspartame to be considered and classified as a nonnutritive sweetener. Aspartame, updated assessment of risks on health, cancer and. Efsa completes full risk assessment on aspartame and. European food safety authority via carlo magno 1a 43126 parma, italy tel. Mar 01, 20 the present document is published complying with the transparency principle to which the european food safety authority is subject. It is a white, odourless powder, approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Evidence shows that low calorie sweeteners help reduce calorie intake and body weight. The discovery of aspartame was a breakthrough in low calorie sweeteners because of its likeness to sugar, and because it has no lingering or metallic aftertaste. In efsas first ever full risk assessment of the food additive aspartame, the authoritys experts concluded that aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure. Wed like to understand how you use our websites in order to improve them. European food safety authority confirms sucralose is safe and does not cause cancer. The revisiting the safety of aspartame references two studies, the nature study from above and the aspartame rat study, lowdose aspartame consumption differentially affects gut microbiotahost metabolic interactions in the dietinduced obese rat, saying nonnutritive sweeteners including aspartame may influence gut metabolism by. Scientific opinion on aspartame efsa explains the safety of aspartame all food additives authorised in the european union eu undergo a thorough safety assessment. Aspartame is a lowcalorie, artificial sweetener approximately 200. Includes the relevant legislation governing the use of aspartame. Conclusions about the safety of aspartame support a history of safe use for more than thirty years. It may not be considered as an output adopted by efsa. Scientific opinion on aspartame european food safety. The efsa scientific panel on food additives and nutrient.
Serial controversy aspartame is possibly the most controversial food additive in widespread use, with an enormous list of selfreported symptoms linked to its consumption. Aspartame has come under suspicion as a result of research studies drawing links to everything from allergic reactions to cancer and premature births. Dec 19, 2005 the european food safety authority efsa has received the primary data for ramazzini foudations recent study on the sweetener aspartame and is commencing its risk assessment as a matter of priority. The european food safety authority efsa said there is no indication that aspartame causes cancer following its assessment of a study that linked. To complete its evaluation, efsa is asking for all available scientific and technical data published, unpublished and newly generated related to aspartame in food and drinks and as a table.
Given the shortcomings of efsas risk assessment of aspartame, and the shortcomings of all previous official. Review of data on the food additive aspartame efsa. Atlanta december 10, 20 the calorie control council is pleased that the european food safety authority efsa today released a final opinion on aspartame that reaffirms what scientists and healthcare professionals have known for years. The scf reconfirmed the previously established acceptable daily intake adi for aspartame. Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 57th jecfa 2001 an adi of 040 mgkg bw was established at the 25th jecfa 1981 synonyms aspartyl phenylalanine methyl ester. In 2016 efsa concluded that the proposed extension of use of sucralose in. Efsa panel on food additives and nutrient sources added to food. This article will explore low and low calorie sweeteners lncs and covers. The details of the original toxicology studies that were submitted by searle to the fda as part of the fda food additive petition are from a comprehensive publication on the safety of aspartame magnuson et al. Aspartame aspartame iii is made from two amino acid components, laspartic acid and lphenylalanine. The panel takes note of the previous evaluations of aspartame by the scf and other expert. In accordance with european regulations, efsa was asked by the european commission to undertake a reevaluation of all food additives by 2020. Efsa was aware of the upcoming study of the ramazzini foundation on aspartame and had requested detailed information from them. Since january 2002, the european food safety authority efsa has provided independent scientific advice and communication on risks associated with the food chain.
Efsa starts aspartame study evaluation foodnavigator. The european food safety authority efsa panel on food additives and nutrient. December 10, 20 expert reaction to efsa risk assessment of aspartame. On 10th december 20, the european food safety authority efsa published a scientific. The european food safety authority efsa said it considers carefully any new evidence that was not available at the time an opinion is adopted. The current adi for aspartame is deemed to be safe for the general population. Aspartame and its breakdown products have been the subject. May 09, 2017 similar to the efsa opinion, in 2007, an extensive evaluation of the safety of over 500 studies related to aspartame concluded that the use of aspartame is safe. The present document is published complying with the transparency principle to which the european food safety authority is subject. European food safety authority confirms sucralose is safe. Scientific opinion on aspartame european food safety authority. Executive summary the draft report on the safety of aspartame, issued by the european food safety authoritys ans panel on 8 january 20, is deeply flawed. This is also a continuation of my official submission to the efsa call for data on aspartame on the 7th of july, 2011. Jul 15, 2019 amongst food additives, aspartame is one of the most controversial, especially in the usa, but also in the uk and the eu.
Scientific panel on food additives and flavourings faf minutes of the 22nd meeting of the working group on the reevaluation of sweeteners held on 3031 march 2020, webconference agreed on 31 march 2020 participants. Efsa reserves its rights, view and position as regards the issues addressed and the conclusions reached in the present document, without prejudice to the. Aspartame represents a powerful litmus test for both the fsa and for the efsa, but current indications suggest that they are likely to fail the test. It is the false history we hear from the manufacturers of aspartame over and over again. Jan 17, 2017 atlanta april 21, 2009 the european food safety authority efsa has once again confirmed the safety of aspartame. Two eu experts responsible for evaluating aspartame failed to declare links with food industry.
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