Aspartame is safe, says EFSA
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently completed its major review of aspartame’s safety, with the European science authority concluding that the sweetener is safe for the general population at current consumption levels.
“This opinion represents one of the most comprehensive risk assessments of aspartame ever undertaken,” said the chair of EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Foods (ANS Panel), Dr Alicja Mortensen.
“It’s a step forward in strengthening consumer confidence in the scientific underpinning of the EU food safety system and the regulation of food additives.”
EFSA says a thorough review of evidence from both animal and human studies has “ruled out a potential risk of aspartame causing damage to genes and inducing cancer.”
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 children or adults.