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25.07.2023 - Foods

Safety of aspartame reconfirmed by JECFA

Aspartame is a calorie-free sweetener that has been used as a food additive for many years. Before being used, additives must be classified as safe and approved across Europe. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) thoroughly reviewed aspartame before it was used in beverages, confectionery, and dairy products.

However, there have been differing evaluations of aspartame by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic, while JECFA confirmed that aspartame is safe.

The difference in evaluation lies in the fact that the IARC only identifies the potential danger of a substance, known as the hazard, without considering actual exposure or risk. The actual assessment of risk, i.e., the likelihood of a harmful effect with actual exposure, is the responsibility of agencies responsible for risk assessment, such as the EFSA on a European level and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) on a national level.

The EFSA conducted a comprehensive risk assessment in 2013 and found that aspartame is safe for the general population, including infants, children, and pregnant women. JECFA also carried out a reassessment based on scientific studies and consumption data and confirmed the acceptable daily intake (ADI), indicating that aspartame can be consumed safely over a lifetime.

It is emphasized that products containing aspartame can continue to be consumed without concern, and that the assessments of EFSA and JECFA are decisive for the evaluation of food safety of aspartame. IARC evaluations have led to confusion and controversy in the past due to their incomplete consideration of exposure. It is recommended to rely on the well-founded risk assessments by official institutions.

Source:

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