|
The Latest
More About Aspartame
Expert Opinions
The LatestJournal of the American Dietetic Association Fact SheetThe 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 - html | pdf Health Canada ReportHealth 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 - click here European Food Safety Authority ReconfirmationThe 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.Original SCF Report - pdf More About AspartameExpert OpinionsWhat the Experts Have to Say:
Alzheimer's Association"Several studies have been conducted on aspartame’s effect on cognitive function in both animals and humans. These studies found no scientific evidence of a link between aspartame and memory loss.Aspartame was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996 for use in all foods and beverages. The sweetener, marketed as Nutrasweet® and Equal®, is made by joining two protein components, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, with 10 percent methanol. Methanol is widely found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods." American Cancer Society"Current evidence does not demonstrate any link between aspartame ingestion and increased cancer risk. Aspartame has not been associated with other health problems except among people with the genetic disorder, phenylketonuria."American Council on Science and Health"In fact, aspartame, known as "NutraSweet" and "Equal," is safe. Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested substances in the U.S. food supply. Numerous authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the FAO/WHO, the European Community, and the American Medical Association have concluded that aspartame is a safe product, except in the rare cases of phenylketonuria."For more expert opinions, click here. |
|||||||||||||||||||
Copyright ©2006 Calorie Control Council |
