International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives: 951
Food additives Europe numbers: E951
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is made up of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and a small amount of methanol. Aspartame is used in a wide variety of foods and beverages, including diet drinks, sugar-free chewing gum, yogurt, and medications.
The safety of aspartame has been the subject of much debate. Some people believe that it can cause a variety of health problems, including headaches, dizziness, and cancer. However, the vast majority of scientific evidence suggests that aspartame is safe for most people when consumed at moderate levels.
In 1981, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aspartame for use in all foods and beverages. The FDA has reviewed numerous studies on the safety of aspartame and has concluded that it is safe for consumption at levels up to 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. This is the equivalent of about 20 cans of diet soda for a 150-pound person.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have also reviewed the safety of aspartame and have concluded that it is safe for consumption at acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels. The WHO's ADI for aspartame is 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, while the EFSA's ADI is 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.