Food Safety Authority confident of aspartame safety

Recent media reports may have raised unnecessary concerns for consumers about the safety of aspartame, says the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA).

Reports about possible reactions to large doses of aspartame from chewing gum, and reports of a study by the Italian Ramazzini Foundation which link aspartame with cancer, are not consistent with the findings of a large number of studies over many years which have been evaluated by leading food safety agencies around the world.

“Aspartame is probably one of the most studied products on sale today, and there is an extensive body of evidence that tells us it is a safe product that offers consumers a sweet, low-calorie option in their diet,” says Sandra Daly, NZFSA’s deputy chief executive.

“NZFSA continually assesses the weight of sound, scientific evidence that surrounds the use of all products, including aspartame. We can find no scientific basis for claims that the product is not safe to consume in sensible quantities.”

Food Safety Australia New Zealand carried out a survey in September 2003 which found that average consumers reached only 6% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI), while high consumers reached only 15% of the ADI.

“Eating too much of any one thing is not good for you – even those we consume every day, such as coffee, carrots and cake,” says Ms Daly.