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EFSA Panel Clears Neotame

Nov 29th, 2008
Kelly Frederick

The European Food Safety Authority's Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food has determined that neotame is not a safety risk in sweetener and flavor enhancer applications. Neotame is reportedly 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sucrose and 30-60 times sweeter than aspartame, depending upon application. In rat and dog studies, the Panel noted near-complete elimination of the material from rats and dogs within 72 hours. In addition, no neotame accumulation was found in the tissue of rats. The Panel summary states:

The safety of neotame has been investigated in in vitro studies and in short and long-term studies in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs. The results indicate that neotame is not genotoxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic or associated with any reproductive/developmental toxicity.

The Panel study concludes:

After considering all the data on stability, degradation products and toxicology, the Panel concluded that neotame is not of safety concern with respect to the proposed uses as a sweetener and flavour enhancer.

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