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European Food Safety Authority Confirms Safety Of Aspartame


On May 5, 2006, The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced that it had reviewed the findings of a controversial study on aspartame and reconfirmed that the low-calorie sweetener is safe and there is no need to further review guidelines on its use and consumption.

The European Ramazzini Foundation based in Bologna, Italy, asked that the European guidelines pertaining to aspartame be reviewed after it published its findings in 2005 about a long-term cancer study on rats.

"EFSA considers that the results of this new study on aspartame do not provide scientific evidence that aspartame can cause cancer," Dr. Herman Koëter, EFSA's acting executive director, said.

The EFSA identified "a number of major issues with the study." Those issues included the use of rats already likely to have a high incidence of health problems related to their lungs, kidneys and bladders.

The Ramazzini study, while not peer-reviewed, had received extensive media coverage throughout the world.

The Union of European Beverage Associations (UNESDA) issued a statement saying it welcomes the EFSA confirmation of aspartame's safety.

"This is yet further confirmation of the safety of this low-calorie sweetener, which provides consumers with an ever-increasing choice of low-calorie food and beverage options, important in the fight against obesity," UNESDA's Secretary General Alain Beaumont said.

Aspartame, which has been approved for use in more than 100 countries, is one of the most thoroughly studied food ingredients with numerous scientific studies confirming its safety.