Is Aspartame Safe?

Aspartame, one of the most commonly used sweeteners has been creating a lot of hype lately due to its link to phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is a rare, heredity disease or genetic disorder, whereby the body is not able to utilize the essential amino acid phenylalanine. This amino acid is present in aspartame, making it unsafe for sufferers of the disease.

For the general population, however, aspartame is considered safe. In 2006, a long-term study by the AFC Panel (a panel that reviews additives, flavorings, processing aids and materials in food) concluded there was no reason to continue reviewing aspartame based on the data evaluated at the time.