Aspartame Now Declared Safe By European Officials

Used in everything from diet sodas and fruit punch to chewing gum and baked goods, aspartame is one of the world's most widely used sugar substitutes. According to some estimates, it's nearly 200 times sweeter than actual sugar, but unlike sugar, aspartame it contains practically no calories. This had led many companies to use in the production of their food and beverages. Up until recently, however, it was largely believed that consumption of aspartame increased an individual's risk of cancer. But a new study released by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggests otherwise.

There's been a growing concern over the safety of aspartame in recent years. Numerous studies were released (not from the EFSA) that linked aspartame to cancer, birth defects, and general illness. The problem was so bad that the European officials forced the EFSA to perform an in-depth study of the sugar substitute to determine whether or not these previous findings were correct. The EFSA had originally intended to finish the study by 2020, but the European officials wanted the data sooner rather than later.

The stigma surrounding aspartame along with numerous other artificial sweeteners has dealt a harsh blow to the diet soda industry. Sales of diet sodas and beverages have remained on the decline, while sales of sugar-sweetened beverages have increased. This trend forced many of the smaller diet soda companies out of business. With aspartame now declared safe for consumption, though, we may see this trend shift in the opposite direction within the next few years.

So, how did the EFSA go about testing the safety of aspartame? According to the report, a team of researchers performed a battery of tests on both animal and human subjects. In conclusion, EFSA researchers found no credible link between the consumption of aspartame and cancer or birth defects. The team took their research one step further by calculating the average amount of aspartame consumed by individuals who drink diet soda.

"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 EFSA charwoman Alicja Mortensen.

So, how will this study affect the public's view on aspartame? Only time will tell whether or not it encourages people to drink sodas once again. But having this study in place gives individuals the peace of mind knowing that aspartame is safe for consumption.