EFSA Requests Information on Aspartame

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a public call for
data “on the artificial sweetener aspartame (E 951) for consideration in a
full re-evaluation to be completed in 2012 as requested by the European
Commission [EC].” EFSA has asked interested parties and stakeholders to
submit “scientific or technical data—published, unpublished and newly generated—related to the use of aspartame in food and drinks and as a tabletop sweetener.”

Originally scheduled for 2020, the aspartame review is “part of the systematic
re-evaluation of all authorized food additives in the European Union.” EFSA
apparently agreed to move up the proceedings after European Parliament
members voiced concerns about the sweetener. “Due to EFSA’s scientific
cooperation efforts, particularly with its partners in EU Member States,
ongoing liaison with international partners and its stakeholder dialogue,
EFSA can draw on a well-established network to ensure that all the relevant
data are considered,” stated the agency, which will release a summary of
the submissions after the September 30, 2011, deadline, and then begin
preparing the risk assessment. See EFSA News Release, June 1, 2011.