Q - Is aspartame safe?

A - After reviewing scientific studies, United States of America Food and Drug Administration determined in 1981 that aspartame was safe for use in foods. In 1987, the General Accounting Office investigated the process surrounding United States of America Food and Drug Administration's approval of aspartame and confirmed the agency had acted properly. However, United States of America Food and Drug Administration has continued to review complaints alleging adverse reactions to products containing aspartame. To date, United States of America Food and Drug Administration has not determined any consistent pattern of symptoms that can be attributed to the use of aspartame, nor is the agency aware of any recent studies that clearly show safety problems.

Carefully controlled clinical studies show that aspartame is not an allergen. However, certain persons with the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU), and pregnant women with hyperphenylalanine (high levels of phenylalanine in blood) have a problem with aspartame because they do not effectively metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, one of aspartame's components. High levels of this amino acid in body fluids can cause brain damage. Therefore, United States of America Food and Drug Administration has ruled that all products containing aspartame must include a warning to phenylketonurics that the sweetener contains phenylalanine.