Is there any truth to the negative information about aspartame on the Internet or in the media?
No. Allegations by a few individuals that aspartame may be associated with a myriad of ailments are not based on science and have come to be known as "urban myths." Unfounded claims about aspartame have been rejected by expert independent organizations, such as The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Alzheimer's Association, The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., The Lupus Foundation of America and the American Cancer Society.
The safety of aspartame has been documented time and time again and is supported by over three decades of research with over 200 scientific studies.
Recently, several governments and expert scientific committees carefully evaluated these allegations and found them to be false, reconfirming the safety of aspartame. These health authorities included the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Brazil.
Some highlights from these evaluations:
European Food Safety Authority Reconfirms Aspartame's Clean Bill of Health
On December 10, 2002, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF), a body of independent scientific experts, which advises the European Commission on matters of food safety, reconfirmed aspartame's clean bill of health following a comprehensive review of the sweetener's safety. "The Committee concluded that on the basis of its review of all the data in animals and humans available to date, there is no evidence to suggest that there is a need to revise the outcome…" of the prior endorsement of aspartame's safety.
U.K. Food Standards Agency Affirms that Aspartame is Safe for Use
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]."
The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) Supports Safety of Aspartame
In 2002, the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) completed a two-year study by the French Expert Committee on Flavourings, Food Additives and Processing Aids and confirmed the safety of aspartame once again. The AFSSA was asked to review an alleged link between aspartame and brain tumors. The report noted, "in conclusion, AFSSA considers that the current state of scientific knowledge does not enable a relationship to be established between the exposition to the aspartame and brain tumors in humans or animals."
Health Canada Reaffirms Aspartame's Safety
In 2003, Health Canada stated, "…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."
