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Aspartame: Should we be afraid of artificial sweeteners?

Aspartame: Should we be afraid of artificial sweeteners?. Katrien Renders Test-Achats, Belgian Consumers’ Organisation. Context. Aspartame = 1 out of hundreds of E-numbers Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008

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Aspartame: Should we be afraid of artificial sweeteners?

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  1. Aspartame: Should we be afraid of artificial sweeteners? Katrien Renders Test-Achats,Belgian Consumers’ Organisation

  2. Context • Aspartame = 1 out of hundreds of E-numbers • Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 • Article 6: General conditions for use of food additives:1) No health safety concern 2) Reasonable technological need3) No misleading of consumers4) Real benefits for consumers

  3. 1) Safety • Re-evaluation of existing additives by EFSA as previewed is positive ! • Acceptable Daily Intake • Legal maxima for additives should protect every consumer → no exceedance of the ADI • Children more vulnerable • Risk of exceedance of current ADI aspartame is rather small • However intake of some colours cause problem

  4. 1) Safety Problems with allergy, hypersensibility • Aspartame must be avoided by persons with phenylketonuria => clear labelling • Lots of other additives can cause problems

  5. 1) Safety • Safety of use of each additive in our plate must be guaranteed • Moreover combination of additives: insufficient research about the cocktail effect

  6. 2) Technological need • Aspartame • Cfr. article 7: to replace sugars in energy-reduced food • Does not fix the problem of obesity; it has to be considered as one among other possibilities to manage calorie intake. • Benzoates can form carcinogenic benzene; alternatives are available.

  7. 3) No misleading of consumers Colours:N.B. Annex to be voted ! Our concern: • Sulfites in (minced) meat to give a nice red colour; • Red colours in strawberry jam, strawberry yoghurt, etc. to mask the lack of fruits Notechnological need

  8. 4) Real benefits for consumers • No acceptance of risks when there is no real benefit for consumers • Use of additives only if there is no other technological alternative

  9. Conclusions • Continuous scientific research (cocktail effect) and regular risk evaluation • Quick response of Authorities in case of problems • Information and practical advice towards consumers • Ban of misleading additives (colours) in basic food stuffs

  10. Thank you for your attention

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