Health scare sweetener 'safe to use': Product linked to premature births and cancer cleared by European experts

• European food experts say it is ‘safe for human consumption’
• Has been used as sugar alternative for 30 years
  
• Concerns centred on the fact that they contain methanol

By SEAN POULTER

PUBLISHED: 23:43 GMT, 10 December 2013 | UPDATED: 23:56 GMT, 10 December 2013

The controversial low-calorie artificial sweetener, aspartame, has been cleared by European food experts as ‘safe for human consumption’.

The move has been welcomed by manufacturers, who have been using the sugar alternative in fizzy drinks, such as Diet Coke, and snacks for 30 years.

However, one leading British expert has accused the European experts of failing consumers and being biased in favour of the food industry.

Aspartame has come under suspicion as a result of research studies drawing links to everything from allergic reactions to cancer and premature births.

However, a study by experts on behalf of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), has found it has no harmful effects.

EFSA said yesterday: ‘Aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure.’

The chairman of the expert panel which assessed the sweetener, Dr Alicja(correct) Mortensen, said: ‘This opinion represents one of the most comprehensive risk assessments of aspartame ever undertaken. 

‘It’s a step forward in strengthening consumer confidence in the scientific underpinning of the EU food safety system and the regulation of food additives.’ 

Concerns about artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, have centred on the fact that they contain methanol.

Methanol is a nerve toxin, which can be metabolised in the body to form formic acid, which is another nerve toxin, as well as formaldehyde, which is the chemical used to preserve dead bodies.

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2521646/Aspartame-artificia...