Safety of aspartame
Testing
Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested food ingredients
in our food supply, having undergone more than 200 scientific
studies over a 30 year period. As with all ingredients, intense
sweeteners are tested on a frequent basis and are regulated as food
additives. Any new scientific data will always be reviewed by the
regulatory bodies of the European Union and the individual 25
member states.
On 5 May 2006 the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA)
re-confirmed the safety of aspartame after rejecting the
conclusions of a study by the Ramazzinni Institute which claimed
that aspartame consumption caused an increased incidence of
lymphonas and leukemias in rats. After reviewing the study EFSA
concluded that "there is no need to further review the safety
of aspartame nor to revise the previously established Acceptable
Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame".
A summary of EFSA's findings can be found here.