Europe’s food safety watchdog has concluded that the current level of artificial sweetener aspartame allowed in food and beverage products is “safe”.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced its findings today (10 December) as past of its review of all addivitives used in food and food ingredients, which is due to be completed by 2020.

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“This opinion represents one of the most comprehensive risk assessments of aspartame ever undertaken. It’s a step forward in strengthening consumer confidence in the scientific underpinning of the EU food safety system and the regulation of food additives”, said the chair of EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Foods (ANS Panel), Dr Alicja Mortensen.

The panel ruled out a potential risk of aspartame causing damage to genes and inducing cancer and concluded the sweetener does not harm the brain, the nervous system or affect the behaviour or cognitive function of children or adults.

Aspartame is used widely in low-calorie drinks and food and has been dogged by health concerns since its emergence in the 1980s.

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