The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has decided to launch an open consultation on its scientific risk assessment about the safety of ‘Aspartame’ (codified as E951 in the EU), the widely-used and controversial artificial sweetener.
In May 2011, EFSA was asked by the Commission to re-evaluate fully the safety of aspartame. The study is now been made public and submitted for comments until February 15.
– Public consultation on the draft scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of aspartame (E951) as a food additive
In parallel, EFSA will also hold a meeting with stakeholders to discuss its draft opinion and the feedback received.
This first full evaluation of aspartame by EFSA is likely to create further controversies as the panel of experts concludes (in their draft opinion) that aspartame poses “no toxicity concern for consumers at current levels of exposure”.
