ISA welcomes the new EFSA scientific opinion on Neotame
Brussels, 4th July 2025: The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) welcomes the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion, published today, which unequivocally confirms that neotame is rigorously assessed and safe for use in foods and beverages.1 Neotame is one of the 11 low/no calorie sweeteners approved for use in foods and drinks in the European Union.
In accordance with European regulations, EFSA was asked by the European Commission to undertake a re-evaluation of all food additives permitted for use in the EU before January 2009. Neotame, which was first approved in 2007, was included in the re-evaluation.
EFSA’s scientific experts assessed the totality of the available scientific evidence – including toxicological, epidemiological and consumption data – and concluded that neotame is scientifically proven safe. They also increased its Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) to 10 mg/kg body weight/day. This reconfirms results of previous, comprehensive evaluations conducted by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)2, and other regulatory authorities around the world.
At a time when obesity and non-communicable diseases including diabetes and dental diseases remain major global health challenges, and in light of current public health recommendations to reduce overall sugar intake, low/no calorie sweeteners can be helpful in creating healthier food environments. They offer a wide choice of sweet-tasting options with low or no calories and can be a useful tool – when used in place of sugar and as part of a balanced diet – in helping reduce overall sugar and calorie intake.3 They can also support the management of blood glucose levels, especially for people living with diabetes.4 Low/no calorie sweeteners are also not fermentable by oral bacteria, this means that they do not contribute to tooth demineralisation, which is one of the causes of tooth decay.5