Scientific Opinion on the safety of the extension of use of thaumatin (E 957)
Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, an exposure assessment was carried out based on the maximum permitted levels (MPLs) authorised in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 for thaumatin (E 957) and the proposed increase in its use level in flavoured drinks and proposed extension of use in several food categories at […]
Aspartame: A review of genotoxicity data
Abstract Aspartame is a methyl ester of a dipeptide of aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is 200× sweeter than sucrose and is approved for use in food products in more than 90 countries around the world. Aspartame has been evaluated for genotoxic effects in microbial, cell culture and animal models, and has been subjected to […]
Aspartame: A review of genotoxicity data
Abstract Aspartame is a methyl ester of a dipeptide of aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is 200× sweeter than sucrose and is approved for use in food products in more than 90 countries around the world. Aspartame has been evaluated for genotoxic effects in microbial, cell culture and animal models, and has been subjected to […]
Perspectives on Low Calorie Intense Sweeteners with a Focus on Aspartame and Stevia
Abstract The safety of some food additives/E-numbers, including low calorie (intense) sweeteners (LCS), is constantly the subject of dispute and controversy. However, since LCS have been assigned an acceptable daily intake (ADI) and an E-number following extensive assessment of available safety and toxicological data, consumer safety is assured. These substances have been carefully evaluated, for […]
Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of aspartame (E 951) as a food additive
Abstract The EFSA ANS Panel provides a scientific opinion on the safety of aspartame (E 951). Aspartame is a sweetener authorised as a food additive in the EU. In previous evaluations by JECFA and the SCF, an ADI of 40 mg/kg bw/day was established based on chronic toxicity in animals. Original reports, previous evaluations, additional […]
Scientific Opinion on the safety of advantame for the proposed uses as a food additive
Abstract The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provides a scientific opinion on the safety of advantame as a sweetener for use in the food categories specified in the dossier. Advantame is stable under normal storage conditions. The Panel noted that there is an indication of advantame instability in acidic […]
Low-calorie sweeteners and the risk of preterm delivery: results from two studies and a meta-analysis
Summary The possible relation between low-calorie sweeteners and unfavourable pregnancy outcomes, in particular preterm delivery and low birth weight, was originally raised in 2010 by Halldorsson et al. from a study based on the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996– 2002). Another study published in 2012 by Englund-Ogge et al. also examined the possible relation between […]
Dietary intake of artificial sweeteners by the Belgian population
Abstract This study investigated whether the Belgian population older than 15 years is at risk of exceeding ADI levels for acesulfame-K, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame and sucralose through an assessment of usual dietary intake of artificial sweeteners and specific consumption of table-top sweeteners. A conservative Tier 2 approach, for which an extensive label survey was performed, […]
Scientific Opinion on the safety of steviol glycosides for the proposed uses as a food additive
Abstract Steviol glycosides in the present evaluation are mixtures of steviol glycosides that comprise not less than 95% of stevioside and/or rebaudioside A. Stevioside as a sweetener was evaluated by the SCF in 1984, 1989 and 1999. JECFA reviewed the safety of steviol glycosides in 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 and established an ADI […]
Aspartame: a safety evaluation based on current use levels, regulations, and toxicological and epidemiological studies
Abstract Aspartame is a methyl ester of a dipeptide used as a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener in over 90 countries worldwide in over 6000 products. The purpose of this investigation was to review the scientific literature on the absorption and metabolism, the current consumption levels worldwide, the toxicology, and recent epidemiological studies on aspartame. Current use […]