Aspartame: Should we be afraid of artificial sweeteners?

Katrien RendersTest-Achats, Belgian Consumers’ Organisation

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Context

Aspartame = 1 out of hundreds of E-numbers

Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008

Article 6: General conditions for use of food additives:1) No health safety concern 2) Reasonable technological need3) No misleading of consumers4) Real benefits for consumers

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1) Safety

Re-evaluation of existing additives by EFSA as previewed is positive !

Acceptable Daily Intake– Legal maxima for additives should protect every consumer

→ no exceedance of the ADI– Children more vulnerable– Risk of exceedance of current ADI aspartame is rather

small– However intake of some colours cause problem

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1) Safety

Problems with allergy,hypersensibility

Aspartame must be avoided by persons with phenylketonuria => clear labelling

Lots of other additives can cause problems

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1) Safety

Safety of use of each additive in our plate must be guaranteed

Moreover combination of additives: insufficient research about the cocktail effect

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2) Technological need

Aspartame– Cfr. article 7:

to replace sugars in energy-reduced food– Does not fix the problem of obesity;

it has to be considered as one among other possibilities to manage calorie intake.

Benzoates can form carcinogenic benzene; alternatives are available.

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3) No misleading of consumers

Colours:N.B. Annex to be voted !

Our concern:– Sulfites in (minced) meat to give

a nice red colour;– Red colours in strawberry jam,

strawberry yoghurt, etc. to mask the lack of fruits

No technological need

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4) Real benefits for consumers

No acceptance of risks when there is no real benefit for consumers

Use of additives only if there is no other technological alternative

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Conclusions

Continuous scientific research (cocktail effect) and regular risk evaluation

Quick response of Authorities in case of problems

Information and practical advice towards consumers

Ban of misleading additives (colours) in basic food stuffs

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Thank you for your attention