The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reconfirms saccharin’s safety after conducting a thorough, comprehensive and scientifically rigorous review. These conclusions are consistent with a history of safe use, repeatedly confirmed by global and national food safety agencies.
Brussels, 15th November 2024: The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) welcomes the EFSA opinion, published today, which reconfirms the safety of the low/no calorie sweetener saccharin.1
Saccharin was discovered in 1879 and its safety was first reviewed and confirmed in Europe in 1977. All food additives permitted for use in the EU before January 2009 and already recognised as safe are currently being re-assessed by EFSA and saccharin re-evaluation was part of this process.
EFSA’s scientific experts reviewed the totality of the available scientific evidence, looking at short-term and long-term effects, and concluded that saccharin is safe and increased its Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) from 5 to 9 mg/kg body weight/day.1
Conclusions about the safety of saccharin support a history of safe use for decades. 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 – all agree that saccharin is safe.
Amidst global health challenges like obesity and diabetes, saccharin and other low/no calorie sweeteners can help reduce sugar intake and create healthier food environments. They offer sweet-tasting options with few or no calories, aiding in overall calorie reduction,3 and blood glucose management4 when used instead of sugar in a balanced diet. Additionally, low/no calorie sweeteners are tooth-friendly ingredients that do not contribute to tooth demineralisation, which causes tooth decay.5
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