Aspartame mix has no safety concern, EU agency says

The European Food Safety Authority said Thursday it found no safety concerns linked to current reported uses and levels of a sweetener compound made from acesulfame K and aspartame, drawing criticism from campaigners who want tighter EU controls.

EFSA carried out a regular re-evaluation of the compound, known as aspartame-acesulfame salt. It said its panel found “no safety concerns associated with the currently reported uses and use levels” of the chemicals.

Foodwatch, the French Cancer League and health app Yuka called the decision “outrageous”. The groups campaigned last year for an EU-wide precautionary ban on aspartame.

They said EFSA had minimised what they described as independent scientific findings linking aspartame consumption with potential health effects. They also accused corporate lobbying of shaping food safety regulation.

The World Health Organization in 2023 classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” and said it should be used in moderation.

The acceptable daily intake for aspartame is 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, roughly equivalent to several cans of sugar-free drink for an adult.

Aspartame and acesulfame K have been widely used for decades in products including diet drinks, gelatine, ice cream, yoghurt, breakfast cereals, toothpaste, cough drops and chewable vitamins.