Aspartame Research on Aspartame Safety from Scientists, Health Organizations, Regulators

Brazilian Health Ministry

This press release and clarification report regarding a scientific forum about aspartame held by the Health Surveillance Agency, an organization of the Brazilian Health Ministry, confirms that aspartame is not harmful and can be an excellent tool in managing diabetes and weight-loss programs.

Also see Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Portuguese).

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention(CDC)

After investigating consumer inquiries, the CDC concludes that, although certain individuals may be unusually sensitive to aspartame, there is no evidence of any serious, widespread, adverse health consequences attendant upon its use. An agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, CDC's mission is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.

URL: http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000426.htm

Health Canada

Health Canada states, "...Before consideration was given to permitting aspartame for use in foods in Canada, officials of Health Canada evaluated an extensive array of toxicological tests in laboratory animals and, since its listing for use, they have examined the results of a number of clinical studies in humans. There is no evidence to suggest that the consumption of foods containing this sweetener, according to the provisions of the Food and Drug Regulations and as part of a well-balanced diet, would pose a health hazard to consumers."

URL: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/food-aliment/cs-ipc/chha-edpcs/e_aspartame01.html

French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA)

The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) recently completed a two year study by the French Expert Committee on Flavourings, Food Additives and Processing Aids and has confirmed the safety of aspartame once again. The English translation on its report and opinion on the safety of aspartame is now available.

URL: http://www.afssa.fr

Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission

The food safety advisory body in Europe, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) of the European Commission, has reconfirmed aspartame's clean bill of health following a comprehensive review of the sweetener's safety. The SCF is a body of independent scientific experts which advises the European Commission on matters of food safety; its aspartame report was issued on December 10, 2002.

URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/scf/out155_en.pdf (pdf)

U.K. Food Standards Agency

On December 18, 2002, the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a statement announcing that 'the Agency supports the conclusions of the Committee's Scientific Committee on Food thorough and timely review on the safety of the sweetener aspartame'.

URL: http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2002/dec/aspartamereview

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA considers aspartame to be one of the most thoroughly tested and studied food additives the agency has ever approved. More than 100 toxicological and clinical studies the agency has reviewed confirm that aspartame is safe for the general population.

URL: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00772.html
URL: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/departs/2002/302_ltrs.html

U.S. FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

A branch of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Center For Food Safety and Applied Nutrition promotes and protects the public health and economic interest by ensuring that food is safe, nutritious, and wholesome. After reviewing scientific studies, FDA determined in 1981 that aspartame was safe for use in foods. There are several other agencies under the FDA that help monitor these laws and all concur on the safety of aspartame.

URL: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-adf9.html
URL: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wh-alrg1.html

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization states that aspartame is safe and does not play a role in causing brain tumors. This agency acts as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work and discussed aspartame, among other topics in this WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter.

URL: http://www.who.int/medicines/library/pnewslet/dmp_pn5697.html

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