EFSA Panel Clears Neotame

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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