Aspartame Archives

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...".

American Dietetic Association Position Paper

Aspartame Fact Sheet Appears in JADA (June, 2003)

The June issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (JADA) featured a "Fact Sheet" on aspartame. JADA reaches more than 70,000 dietitians and contains information on the latest research concerning nutrition, diet and other related issues. The Fact Sheet states, "Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetening ingredient that provides the sweet taste of sugar without the calories. Aspartame has been used in numerous foods and beverages for more than 20 years and is enjoyed by millions of Americans every day. Aspartame’s safety has been documented in more than 200 objective scientific studies. The safety of aspartame has been confirmed by the regulatory authorities in more than 100 countries, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, and the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food, as well as by experts with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization."

(JADA Fact Sheet) | (JADA Fact Sheet) pdf

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." (Health Canada Report)

European Food Safety Authority Reconfirms Aspartame's Clean Bill of Health

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 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. The SCF noted, "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 initially evaluated aspartame's safety in 1984, when it first concluded that the low-calorie sweetener was safe. However, in light of some anecdotal reports and allegations, the SCF decided to conduct a thorough review of aspartame's safety and the latest research findings. The latest SCF report is the result of an exhaustive evaluation of hundreds of articles related to aspartame's safety that have been published in the scientific literature since 1988. The United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency (FSA) had pressed the European Commission to review the safety of aspartame at the earliest opportunity and provided assistance in preparing a summary report for consideration by the SCF. (Original SCF Report - pdf).

U.K. Food Standards Agency

After the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) of the European Commission published a comprehensive review of aspartame's safety, the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced their support of the review on December 18, 2002. The FSA issued a statement announcing, "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 FSA asked the European Commission to review the safety of aspartame and provided assistance in preparing a summary report for review by the SCF. (Original FSA Report)

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. (Original AFSSA Report)