Aspartame's Safety Supported by Numerous Health and Regulatory Groups

“Based on the large body of evidence we have reviewed, including several studies on carcinogenicity which showed no adverse effects and data on how aspartame is metabolized by humans, we have no reason to believe that aspartame would cause cancer. Thus, it remains FDA's position that use [of aspartame] is safe.”
-U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2006

“In conclusion, therefore, this study provides no evidence that saccharin or other sweeteners (mainly aspartame) increase the risk of cancer at several common sites in humans.”
-Annals of Oncology, 2007

“In conclusion, our prospective epidemiologic study suggests that aspartame consumption derived from its main source, aspartame-containing beverages, does not raise the risk of hematopoietic or brain malignancies.”
-Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 2006
           
“An examination of the animal and human research findings by regulatory bodies in countries around the world has led repeatedly to the conclusion that aspartame is safe.  In consideration of these facts, it is difficult to accept a new claim of carcinogenesis in rats ingesting large amounts of the sweetener, particularly given the extensive database that already exists showing the absence of carcinogenic effects.”
-Dr. John Fernstrom, Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2006

“Examinations of these cancer trends [from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program] by gender or age group found no consistent pattern that paralleled the rise in aspartame consumption.”  “In this case, trends in the cancer incidence rates were not consistent with the proposed hypothesis suggesting a relationship between aspartame and lymphomas and leukemias.”
- Dr. Michael Kelsh, Exponent, UCLA School of Public Health, 2006

 “Current evidence does not show any link between aspartame ingestion and increased cancer risk.” 
-The American Cancer Society (ACS), currently available at: http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/3_19.htm

“There is no clear evidence that the artificial sweeteners on the market in the United States are related to cancer risk in humans.” 
-National Cancer Institute, currently available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_1_3x_aspartame.asp

“Recently, a laboratory experiment found more lymphomas and leukemias in rats fed very high doses of aspartame (equivalent to drinking 8 to 2,083 cans of diet soda daily). However, there were some inconsistencies in the findings. For example, the cancers found in the treated rats were not specific to aspartame, and the number of cancer cases did not rise with increasing amounts of aspartame as would be expected. Subsequently, the NCI examined human data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study of over half a million retirees. Increasing consumption of aspartame-containing beverages was not associated with the development of lymphoma, leukemia, or brain cancer.”
-National Cancer Institute (specifically concerning the Ramazzini study), currently available at : http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_1_3x_aspartame.asp

“In its opinion published today, the Panel concluded, on the basis of all the evidence currently available, that there is no need to further review the safety of aspartame nor to revise the previously established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame (40 mg/kg body weight).”   
-European Food Safety Authority, 2006

“Under the conditions of this 9-month feed study, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of aspartame… .”
-National Toxicology Program, Genetically Modified Model Report: Toxicology Studies of Aspartame and Carcinogenicity Studies of Aspartame, 2005

“The NIEHS has not carried out a systematic pathology peer review of the RF [Ramazzini Foundation] aspartame studies.”
-Dr. Mary Wolfe, National Toxicology Program, Liaison and Scientific Review Office, 2005

“… the NTP has had no role in the design, performance or interpretation of the Ramazzini Foundation aspartame study… .”
-Dr. John Bucher, Deputy Director, National Toxicology Program, 2005

Previous findings by the Ramazzini researchers at the same institution using a similar protocol have been reviewed by the FDA’s Cancer Assessment Committee, which noted that those reported data were “unreliable” due to a “lack of critical details … and … questionable histopathological conclusions… .” 
-Food and Drug Administration Cancer Assessment Committee, 2005

"A comprehensive review of the safety of aspartame has recently been published. The review covers previous publications as well as new information that support the safety of aspartame as a food additive... ."
-American Dietetic Association, 2004

“ The safety of aspartame and its metabolic constituents has been established and continues to be critically and comprehensively monitored through extensive toxicology studies in laboratory animals, using much greater doses than people could possibly consume.”
-Canadian Diabetes Association, 2004

"The Committee concluded that on the basis of its review of all the data in animals and humans available to date, there is no evidence to suggest that there is a need to revise the outcome…” of the prior endorsement of aspartame's safety.
-Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission, 2002

“Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested substances in the U.S. food supply. Numerous authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the FAO/WHO, the European Community, and the American Medical Association have concluded that aspartame is a safe product, except in the rare cases of phenylketonuria.”
-American Council on Science and Health, 1999

“Few compounds have withstood such detailed testing and repeated, close scrutiny, and the process through which aspartame has gone should provide the public with additional confidence of its safety.”
-Former FDA Commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes, Federal Register, 1981

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