Update on the Safety of Aspartame Terms of Reference

The Committee is asked to review all new scientific information on aspartame not having been examined by the SCF previously, taking into account, notably, the literature search carried out in the UK. Background The intense sweetener, aspartame, is used in a wide range of food products in many countries around the world and is authorised for use in the EU (E951). It has the following structure: The Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) initially evaluated aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) during 1984 (SCF, 1985) and subsequently during 1988 (SCF, 1989). At its 107th meeting in June 1997, the SCF also examined the issue of an alleged connection between aspartame and increase in incidence of brain tumours in the USA (SCF, 1997). Aspartame has also been considered by other bodies including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA, 1980) the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA, 1984), and the UK Committee on Toxicity (COT, 1992). Th