European Officials Deem Aspartame Safe

Aspartame can be safely consumed at current exposure levels, officials from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded after reviewing all available scientific research on the artificial sweetener.

"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, 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."

Based on the results, the researchers determined that the current EU "acceptable daily intake" of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is "protective for the general population." One exception the researchers made is those suffering from phenylketonuria (PKU) due to their need to adhere to a strict diet low in the amino acid phenylalanine, a breakdown product of aspartame.

The review ruled out any connection between aspartame and cancer or harm to the brain or nervous system. They also were unable to detect any link between the sweetener and behavior or cognitive function in either children or adults. Pregnant individuals are also not advised to avoid aspartame.

The agency added that the substance's breakdown products -- phenylalanine, methanol and aspartic acid -- were all safe, noting that they are all found in other foods.

The EFSA received more than 200 comments while consulting with the public about the draft opinion, each of which was considered, officials said.

Aspartame was discovered by accident in 1965 by a chemist testing an anti-ulcer drug. In 1981 the Food and Drug Administration approved the substance as a "dry" product. Fifteen years later it was approved for use in food and drinks and is commonly found in diet sodas, yogurts, chewing gum, tabletop sweeteners cereals and flavored waters, among other things. 

Ever since, controversy has raged over whether the sweetener poses a risk to human health. According to the National Institute of Health, a wide range of studies of aspartame and its byproducts in animals "have consistently found no adverse effect of aspartame" in the case of doses up to at least 4,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.

"Critical review of all carcinogenicity studies conducted on aspartame found no credible evidence that aspartame is carcinogenic," it said.