Regulatory Authorities (EU)
Danish Food Institute Report
On May 12, 1987, the highly-respected
Danish Food Institute presented its review of aspartame safety data to the
Danish Parliament. The Danish Food Institute wrote: "There is therefore no
toxicological basis for believing the intake of aspartame in soft drinks and
food products should give rise to harmful effects in children or adults, even
people with a high level of usage.
"The Danish Food Institute does not find that the present data provide a
sufficient basis for a renewed evaluation of the safety of aspartame, which, by
the way, corresponds to the conclusions of a meeting of the Scientific Committee
of the EEC held in April, 1987.
"It is quite certain that research published in the scientific literature
and/or studied in detail by governments and independent scientific committees
maintains that the use of aspartame as an additive does not bear any health risk
at all".
12 May 1987
Dutch Public Health Minister confirms aspartame’s safety
The Dutch Minister for Public Health, Dr E. Borst-Eilers sent a letter
dated 14 December 2001, to the Chairman of the Standing Committee for Public
Health, Welfare and Sport.
Dr Borst-Eilers stated: "I can inform you that aspartame and its breakdown
products have been examined by the Scientific Committee on Food of the European
Union (EU) with a view to possible risks; the consumption of aspartame at the
approved levels has been found to be safe."
She went on to say: "A study carried out by the EU in the year 2000 on the
intake of additives has shown that the actual intake is well below the
established ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) of 40 mg/kg bodyweight for adults.
"For young children, who consume more in relation to their body weight, a
realistic evaluation of their intake, based on food consumption in the United
Kingdom and The Netherlands has shown that this does not go beyond 40% of the
ADI."
Dr Borst-Eilers added: "The United States has also looked into the possible
effects of aspartame: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has carried out a
broad based epidemiological study and found no negative effect."
14 December 2001
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection
Stevia, Stevioside and Aspartame
In a written answer to a
parliamentary question, Mr. David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and
Consumer Protection, gave the following comments about sweetener safety.
On the basis of applications from two different companies, the Commission
requested the Scientific Committee on Food to examine the safety of stevioside
as a sweetener and Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni plants and leaves as novel food.
The most recent opinions of the Scientific Committee date from June 1999.
With regard to the plant products, the Committee concluded that the
information provided on the specification, standardisation of the product and
safety studies was insufficient. This confirmed an initial assessment report
carried out by the national authority that received the application.
Consequently, the Commission decided not to authorise the placing on the market
of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni plants and dried leaves as food or a food
ingredient.
With regard to the sweetener, the Committee expressed concerns regarding the
absence of safety data about the genotoxicity potential of a metabolite of
stevioside, about the specification of the compound (impurities) and about
possible effects on human fertility. Therefore, the Commission did not consider
it appropriate to propose the authorisation of this substance as a sweetener for
use in foodstuffs.
The Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants of the World
Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has
expressed similar concerns about stevioside as the Scientific Committee on
Food.
Aspartame has also been evaluated by the Scientific Committee on Food and has
been found acceptable for use as a sweetener in food. An Acceptable Daily Intake
of 40 milligram per kilogram bodyweight has been set by the Committee.
Accordingly, this sweetener has been authorised under Community legislation for
a restricted range of foods and with maximum usage levels.
The Commission would like to reassure the Honourable Member that the size or
the area of activity of the manufacturer neither influence evaluations of food
additives carried out by the Scientific Committee on Food, nor will they
influence future evaluations of substances for use as ingredients in food
supplements.
26 April 2001
European Economic Community, Scientific Committee on Foods
During December, 1984, the
EEC's Scientific Committee on Foods delivered its analytical report on
sweeteners to the Directorate General for Internal Market and Industrial
Affairs. That report noted: "The data provided no evidence that the occasional
transient changes in blood amino acid levels, following simultaneous ingestion
of aspartame and glucose, could produce changes in neurotransmitter levels which
might affect mood or behavior".
"The Committee saw not reason for concern over the amounts of methanol likely
to be produced by the metabolism of aspartame when compared with those present
naturally in food".
"The blood level of phenylalanine in these individuals were raised only
slightly and none of them showed any neurological or other clinical abnormal
findings, thus supporting the view that large intakes of aspartame in the diet
would not cause any untoward effects in these geneotypes".
December 1984
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) reaffirms the
safety of aspartame
After a review of over 500 documents including scientific papers, conference
proceedings and abstracts, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on
Food (SCF) has, once again, reaffirmed the safety of aspartame. The SCF
previously reviewed the science on aspartame in 1984, 1988 and 1997. On each of
these occasions the SCF found aspartame to be safe.
In its comments the SCF said that
"Aspartame is unique among the intense sweeteners in that the intake of its
component parts can be compared with intakes of the same substances from natural
foods."
The review was originally requested by the UK Food Standard’s Agency which
has said that it supports the conclusions of the Committee’s review. The SCF’s
report incorporates the findings of the recent report from the Agence Française
de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA) and is further independent and
authoritative confirmation of aspartame’s safety.
A summary of key findings from the report can be downloaded here
A full copy of the report can be downloaded here
10 December 2002
Finnish National Board of Food Stuffs
On June 12, 1987, Dr. Anja Hallikainen, an official with the National Board of
Foodstuffs, stated: "Aspartame was accepted in Finland a couple of years ago.
When it was accepted, it was considered safe - and safer than saccharin and
cyclamate.
"Finnish experts state that it is not possible to have allergic reactions
from aspartame".
"About those claims in the USA; where people say that they get a headache or
cannot sleep or lose their appetite because of aspartame, our experts say that
those symptoms are not caused by aspartame".
12 June 1987
United Kingdom Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products
and the Environment
At the request of the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee
(FACC), a committee of scientific experts reviewed the available toxicological
information on sweeteners, including aspartame. They observed: "Following
detailed consideration of all toxicological data we see no objection to the use
of aspartame in food".
United Kingdom Food Standards Agency
The Agency has not itself expressed concern about the safety of aspartame.
Indeed, we recently issued a statement setting out our view which makes clear
that aspartame was approved for use only after its safety was rigorously
assessed.
Dr Andrew Wadge
Head of Chemical Safety and Toxicology Division
UK Foods Standards Agency
March 2001
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