by Playfuls Staff |
6th May 2006
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) re-confirmed the safety of the low-calorie sweetener aspartame, rejecting the conclusions of a recent study by the Ramazzini Institute of Bologna, Italy. [more]
Dr. Herman Koeter, EFSA Acting Executive Director, stated: "EFSA considers that the results of this new study on aspartame do not provide a scientific basis for reconsidering its use in foods." The study in question alleged an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma with aspartame use. After a scientific review and evaluation of the study, EFSA's AFC Panel determined that the study had flaws which brought into question the validity of the findings as interpreted by the Ramazzini Institute. In reaching its opinion about the safety of aspartame, the AFC Panel also cited recent government- funded studies in the United States by the National Toxicological Program and the National Cancer Institute which found no link between the consumption of aspartame and cancer.
"We are pleased, and certainly not surprised, by the findings of prominent scientists and regulators who have reviewed the Ramazzini study," said Paul Block, Chief Executive Officer of Merisant. "As always, we stand behind the safety and quality of aspartame, which provides great flavor for beverages and offers health benefits to millions of consumers."
EFSA's findings come on the heels of other criticism from the scientific community. The UK government advisory board, Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, also reviewed the Ramazzini study and was critical of the Ramazzini study.
EFSA's statements further validate the overwhelming body of scientific evidence that clearly demonstrates that aspartame is safe and not associated with adverse health effects. In April, researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced the findings of an epidemiology study that evaluated over 500,000 men and women between the ages of 50 and 69 for up to five years.
The researchers found (compared with those who did not consume aspartame) that there was no evidence of an increased risk of leukemias, lymphomas and brain tumors among those who use aspartame. In addition to the research by NCI, recent animal studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program to evaluate whether aspartame is capable of causing cancer indicated that "there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of aspartame." More than 200 toxicological and clinical studies on aspartame have been conducted around the world during the past 30 years, all of which have confirmed its safety.
