France's food safety authority, the AFSSA (L'Agence Francaise de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments), has evaluated the scientific credibility of rumours about aspartame circulating on the internet and in the media and concluded that they are without foundation. The report, instigated by France's DGCCRF (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Repression des Fraudes), addresses in detail allegations concerning neurological effects. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is also reviewing allegations about aspartame, following its own internet search, and the AFSSA report will form part of this review.

In summarising its conclusions, the AFSSA points out that the dietary components produced when aspartame is digested are also produced during the digestion of other foods which form part of the daily diet; aspartame is a minor source of these components compared with other foodstuff and adverse effects cannot therefore be attributed to aspartame.

Click here to download the conclusions of the AFSSA report

7th May 2002