David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 131: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the use of aspartame in food and drink products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17411/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sweeteners such as aspartame are strictly controlled by European Union legislation which requires that only authorised additives may be used in the manufacture or preparation of foodstuffs. A new additive which requires authorisation in the EU must go through an exhaustive safety assessment by the EU scientific committee on food, SCF. Following evaluation of a particular additive, it is placed on the EU "positive list" of approved additives. If there were any doubts about the safety of an additive, that substance would not be approved.

Aspartame has, therefore, only been authorised for use and included on the EU "positive list" of approved additives after a careful evaluation by the SCF, initially in 1984, then in 1988 and again in 2002. It has also undergone rigorous safety assessments by other regulatory bodies, such as the joint Food and Agriculture Organisation-World Health Organisation expert committee on food additives, the UK Food Standards Agency and the United States Food and Drug Administration, FDA.

In Ireland, the use of sweeteners in foodstuffs is controlled by the European Communities additives, colours and sweeteners in foodstuffs regulations, S.I. No. 437 of 2000. These regulations implement European Council Directive 94/35/EC and an amending directive 96/83/EC, which harmonise controls on the use of sweeteners throughout the European Community. The safety of aspartame has been extensively studied over the years and experts worldwide agree that aspartame is safe for use. In terms of types of studies and the amounts given to human subjects in controlled studies, aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested food additives.

The approval of aspartame will continue to be kept under review by bodies such as the European Commission and its SCF, the FDA and so forth as new scientific information becomes available. If this information shows that the conclusion that aspartame is safe for use is no longer valid, action will be taken immediately to review its authorisation. I am satisfied that all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure that there are no issues of concern with regard to aspartame. I am also satisfied that the issue is being kept under review.