Frequently Asked Questions
about the Use of Aspartame in Low-Calorie Foods and Beverages
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PDF version of the Aspartame FAQs
 Is
it safe to consume more aspartame than the ADI?
 Yes. The ADI is an important
regulatory concept, which is frequently misunderstood. The ADI is
a conservative estimated safe exposure level, which anticipates
continuous lifetime exposure. It should not be regarded as a specific
point at which safety ends and possible health concerns begin. In
fact, FDA has said it is not concerned that consumption occasionally
may exceed the ADI.
How
much aspartame would a person have to consume to reach the ADI?
A 150-pound adult would have to consume about 20 12-oz. diet carbonated
soft drinks, or 33 8-oz. servings of powdered soft drink, or 42 4-oz. servings
of gelatin, or 97 packets of tabletop sweetener each day to reach the ADI. A
50-pound child would have to consume about 6 12-oz. cans of carbonated
beverage, or 11 8-oz. servings of powdered soft drink, or 14 4-oz. servings
of gelatin, or 32 packets of tabletop sweetener each day to reach the ADI.
How
much aspartame are people actually consuming?
Extensive market research has shown that aspartame consumption patterns
for the general population and various subgroups are well below the ADI.
Aspartame consumption by high-level consumers (90th percentile) in the
general population, including children, is between 5% and 10% of the ADI.
This means that 9 out of 10 people consume less than 10% of the ADI.
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