Brussels , 01/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - New scientific research awaited from the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) on the risks of the aspartame artificial sweetener (controversial because of its unwanted side effects and impact on health) will not be available until the end of September this year, despite previous announcements, as the research is still ongoing. EFSA is asking interested parties for additional data, the assessment of which will take some time. It has issued a call for tender for scientific data (whether already published, being prepared for publication or brand new data) on DKP (5-benzyl-3,6-dioxo-2-piperazine acetic acid) and other primary and secondary degradation by-products that can be formed from aspartame in food and drinks stored under certain conditions.
In May 2011, EFSA was asked by the European Commission to bring forward the full re-evaluation of the safety of aspartame (e-number E 951) to 2012. During its review of research into the sweetener, which began in January 2012, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food (ANS) found that there were too little data available on (DKP) and other potential toxic by-products. EFSA is therefore launching an additional call for data on DKP and other degradation products of aspartame and when these data will be available is not yet known. EFSA is currently discussing with the European Commission the deadline for the final opinion and will continue to provide updates on the status of its work on aspartame. (AN/transl.fl)