Controversial sweetener declared safe

Controversial sweetener declared safe

1. it's been the subject of health

2. could be harmful and have been linked with cancer and premature births

3. Two hundred times sweeter than sugar, aspartame has been used as a synthetic alternative to sugar

4. The EFSA to bring the review forward for the controversy

   • The current acceptable daily intake (ADI) is 40mg/kg of body weight per day
     • This means the average UK woman would need to drink 15 cans of a diet soft drink to exceed the ADI

5. The EFSA panel specifically stated that aspartame does not cause cancer and not cause any problems during pregnancy.

6. Erik Millstone, a science and food policy expert, is unhappy with the way in which EFSA has given more weight to some studies over others.

   • ‘The benchmarks of credibility were therefore distinctly asymmetric, in a way that favors the chemical and food industry rather than consumer protection.’

7. The EFSA confirmed that intakes of aspartame are below the acceptable daily intake

8. It is time, however, that somehow the controversy is laid to rest, and we use the resources to address a real health issue