Aspartame is a low-calorie, intense sweetener. It is a white, odourless powder, approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Aspartame is used in a number of foodstuffs such as drinks, desserts, sweets, dairy, chewing gums, energy-reduces and weight control products and as a table-top sweetener throughout the world. The sweetener has been authorised for many years in many countries following thorough safety assessments. The sweetener and its breakdown products have been a matter of extensive investigation for more than 20 years including experimental animal studies, clinical research, intake and epidemiological studies and post-marketing surveillance. Aspartame was found to be safe for human consumption, a conclusion which was reconfirmed in the review carried out by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in 2002 .   In 2005 the Ramazzini Foundation in Bologna, Italy has published findings of a new study on the carcinogenicity of aspartame carried out in rats. EFSA’s AFC Panel (http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/afc/catindex_en.html) has assessed the study and findings of the Ramazzini Foundation and adopted an opinion that is available on the website at http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/afc/afc_opinions/1471_en.html

Press releases/Statements

5/5/2006: EFSA assesses new aspartame study and reconfirms its safety

19/12/2005: Aspartame: EFSA receives data requested from the Ramazzini Institute Scientific experts to start the evaluation

29/11/2005: EFSA urges the Ramazzini Institute to release data on aspartame

14/7/2005:New research data on the sweetener aspartame to be considered by EFSA’s scientific experts

EFSA opinions

Opinion of the Scientific Panel AFC related to a new long-term carcinogenicity study on aspartame

EFSA FAQs on Aspartame

FAQ on Aspartame

Media events

EFSA Aspartame press conference - Video-on-demand – May 5 – 2006, Rome, Italy.

Related links

Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food: Update on the safety of Aspartame (4 December 2002)

Legislation

Related documents

Powerpoint presentation on the evaluation of the european ramazzini foundation study by the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC)

Statements to the press by the acting executive director of EFSA, Dr. Herman b.w.m. Koëter

Media enquiries

For other media enquiries on Aspartame, contact Carola Sonderman at carola.sonderman@efsa.europa.eu