Literature review finds no credible link between aspartame and cancer or neurotoxicity in humans, indicating current consumption levels are safe.
Key Points
To review the scientific evidence on the absorption, metabolism, consumption levels, toxicology, neurotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of aspartame.
Assessed global aspartame consumption metrics against established FDA (50 mg/kg bw/day) and EFSA (40 mg/kg bw/day) acceptable daily intake thresholds.
Evaluated acute, subacute, and chronic animal toxicology studies in mice, rats, hamsters, and dogs with exposure doses up to at least 4000 mg/kg bw/day.
Synthesized epidemiological investigations, including multiple case-control studies and a large prospective cohort study measuring aspartame intake and cancer outcomes.
Global intake levels, even among high consumers in sensitive subgroups, remain well below international acceptable daily intake standards.
Animal toxicology and carcinogenicity studies demonstrated no adverse effects or credible carcinogenic potential at doses up to at least 4000 mg/kg bw/day.
Epidemiological and biochemical evaluations found no evidence linking aspartame consumption to nervous system dysfunction, behavioral changes, or cancer in any human tissue.