In May, EFSA published its opinion related to a long-term carcinogenicity study on aspartame, reconfirming its safety.

At a press conference held on 05/05 in Rome, EFSA presented its opinion in relation to a new study on aspartame, published in 2005 by the European Ramazzini Foundation (ERF) in Bologna, Italy.  The Ramazzini study concluded that aspartame could cause cancer and that current guidelines on its use and consumption should be re-evaluated.

The EFSA AFC Panel carefully evaluated the data provided by the Ramazzini Foundation and concluded that the study had flaws which brought into question the validity and interpretation of the findings.  The EFSA Panel concluded that, on the basis of all evidence currently available, there was no need to further review the safety of aspartame, nor to revise the previously established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) (40mg/kg body weight).  The AFC Panel also noted that intakes of aspartame in Europe, with levels up to 10 mg/kg bw/ day, are well below the ADI, even in high consumers.