Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, has received a green light from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) after an extensive review of over two hundred scientific studies.

The review found no health risks associated with daily aspartame consumption, effectively dismissing long-standing concerns over its safety. The decision complements the earlier announcement made by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies in Europe, China, and Canada.

Background Information on Aspartame

Aspartame is a non-caloric sweetener that was developed by scientists at the pharmaceutical company G.D. Searle as a sugar substitute.

It is used as an ingredient in thousands of products, including diet sodas, baked goods, chewing gum, and even pharmaceutical drugs. In the Europe Union, aspartame is authorized for use in food and drink products under the food additive regulation. Its E-number is also referred to as E951.

Aspartame is made up of two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, and a small amount of methanol. The body metabolizes aspartame into these components and excretes them through urine.

The Controversy around Aspartame Safety

Despite its widespread use, aspartame has faced controversy over its safety. Concerns were first raised in the 1970s when a study linked the sweetener to brain tumors in rodents.

Although subsequent studies could not replicate the findings, the controversy had already taken root, and public perception of aspartame soured. Over the years, concerns have been raised over its safety, ranging from headaches and seizures to more serious conditions such as cancer and birth defects.

Nevertheless, a sizeable volume of research has been conducted since the initial controversy, and the current scientific consensus is that aspartame is safe for human consumption.

Related Article EFSA Confirms Safety of Aspartame

The latest review commissioned by EFSA examines data from 200 studies, including studies conducted by agencies from across the globe. The report concluded that aspartame has no adverse health effects when consumed within acceptable daily amounts (ADIs).

Criteria for Assessing Aspartame Safety

EFSA assessed aspartame’s safety by looking at three criteria:.

1. Exposure to aspartame by the general population
2. The health effects associated with aspartame’s breakdown products (phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol)
3. The overall toxicological profile of aspartame and its breakdown products.

The ADI of Aspartame

The ADI of aspartame is the maximum amount that can be consumed daily over a long period without causing harm to health. The figures are based on the highest levels of aspartame consumption data from surveys in Europe over the last three decades.

The ADI of aspartame is set at 40 mg/kg body weight per day, which means that a person weighing 60 kg can consume 2,400 mg of aspartame per day without any health risk. For children, the ADI is lower and is set at 5 mg/kg body weight per day.

The Benefits of Aspartame

Aspartame has a significant benefit over sugar as a sweetener due to its low calorie and carbohydrate content. It is therefore popular among people looking to lose weight or manage blood sugar levels.

Furthermore, it helps reduce the risk of tooth decay due to the absence of fermentable carbohydrates that bacteria thrive on. Across the world population, aspartame consumption has been increasing, and it’s expected to continue to do so as people adopt healthier lifestyles.

Conclusion

Aspartame may have been controversial in the past, but today, there is no denying its safety through the extensive scientific studies conducted on its consumption.

The regulatory bodies around the world, including the EFSA, have determined the sweetener to be safe for consumption with an acceptable daily intake. The use of aspartame will undoubtedly continue to grow as people strive for a healthier life while indulging their sweet tooth.