Position statements
Aspartame
Aspartame (Nutrasweet) is one of the intense sweeteners used widely in foods, beverages and also as a tabletop sweetener. Like all intense sweeteners it is virtually calorie-free and does not affect blood glucose levels.
Recent media reports have questioned the safety of aspartame after an Italian study (conducted by the Ramazzini Foundation) has linked it to cancer in rats. This has raised fears that the product could also cause a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) risk for humans.
In response, the European Food Safety Authority has declared that ‘on the basis of all the evidence available, there is no need to further review the safety of aspartame nor to revise the previously established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI).’ This is also supported by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Diabetes UK takes seriously any reports about the safety of products which may be relevant to people with diabetes and will continue to monitor this situation closely.
Diabetes UK suggests that if you do use intense sweeteners or products sweetened with them, then you should make sure that you use a variety of brands so as to reduce the risk of exceeding the ADI for each one.
There are five types of intense sweeteners that are permitted for use in the UK: aspartame (Nutrasweet), saccharin, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K), cyclamates and sucralose.
For further information about sweeteners, see our Sweeteners position statement.
People with the condition Phenylketonuria, a disorder caused by an enzyme deficiency, are unable to metabolise the amino acid phenylalanine that is found in aspartame. They should avoid aspartame for this reason.
January 2008
Diabetes UK has produced a Sweetener guide, priced £2.00, which provides further information on the use of sugar and sweeteners. To order a copy, visit our online shop or call free on 0800 585088 and quote code 8009.