foodwatch hat die EU-Kommission aufgefordert, dem Süßstoff Aspartam die Zulassung zu entziehen. In a report published on Tuesday, the consumer warns: internal organization of potential health risks of the widespread additive. The aspartame case makes it clear that the security assessment of additives in the EU has significant defects: it is based too strongly on industrial studies and is highly non -transparent. Foodwatch appealed to the EU Commission to apply the preventive principle anchored in European law. Aspartam may only be allowed again if an independent re -evaluation proves the safety of the sweetener.
“Consumers: Inside, there are no guys in the industry – what comes on the plate must be safe. The EU must take the precautionary principle seriously and pull additives rigorously out of the traffic if there are doubts about its security, ”demands Dr. Rebekka Siegmann, author of the aspartam report of Foodwatch.
The International Cancer Research Agency (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) had classified Aspartam 2023 as potentially carcinogenic based on a comprehensive review of all existing studies. The joint expert committee for food additives (JECFA) from the WHO and nutritional and agricultural organization (FAO) found at the same time that there is no risk of aspartame with current consumption habits. However, Foodwatch criticizes that the JECFA in this risk assessment mainly refers to a single study from 1981 – which the world’s largest aspartame manufacturer himself carried out. A current study by the state -owned French Institute of Health (inserm), on the other hand, found a risk of cancer even at significantly lower doses.
An EU-wide approval process regulates which additives can use. In theory, the EU must ensure that consumer health is adequately protected. In practical terms, however, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is too risen in its risk assessment on studies financed by industry, criticizes Foodwatch.
In 2013, EFSA in 2013 has classified all 73 studies that pointed out to possible risks of the sweetener as unreliable. In contrast, the majority of the 81 studies that saw no connection to health damage were considered reliable. Apparently it was measured here with two dimensions, complaints Foodwatch. An analysis of the consumer: Inner organization shows: Almost three quarters of the studies that are reliably found were carried out by aspartam manufacturers themselves or their author: Inside, connections to industry stated. Industrial studies are usually confidential and could not be viewed by the public, criticizes Foodwatch. However, research shows strong correlations between financing and research results.
Aspartam is used in Europe across Europe, especially in diet products and sugar-free drinks. These include numerous widespread soft drinks such as Coca-Cola Zero, Pepsi Max or Sprite Zero. The questionable ingredient can also be found in Austrian products such as Almdudler sugar -free or smoke zero Üstee. Manufacturers are increasingly relying on sweeteners, since it has now been scientifically proven that sugared limos is one of the main drivers of type 2 diabetes. More and more countries are therefore introducing political measures against excessive sugar consumption, such as a limo tax.
In Austria, too, Foodwatch calls for an urgently needed Kracherl tax. But the following is essential:
“Corporations must not simply replace the sugar with other problematic substances such as aspartame. The health of the consumer: inside must be in the foreground – and these certainly do not want harmful additives in their drinks, ”clarifies Thomas Kainberger, Campaigner at Foodwatch Austria.
According to a representative survey by the YouGov survey institute, 67 percent of the people in Austria are in favor of a precautionary ban on Aspartam. The EU pension principle allows politics to take such protective measures if there is scientific evidence for possible health damage. There is certainly no need to have a harmful effect on this.
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Foodwatch Austria is committed to the rights of consumers with powerful campaigns: inside in the food sector. We fight for transparent information, the comprehensive protection of consumers: inside the interests of the food industry as well as safe and healthy food for everyone. Regardless of the state and business, Foodwatch is financed exclusively by donations and does not use cooperations with companies or political institutions. In this way, the organization remains free and credible in its work. Foodwatch is committed to sustainable changes at the national and EU level and is currently active in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Austria.