§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information his Department has about the outcome of the evaluation by the United States food and drugs administration of the data provided by Dr. Wurtman about the sweetener Aspartame; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieI am advised that Dr. Wurtman has provided the United States food and drugs administration with various data to support his contention that Aspartame is not safe for use as an artificial sweetner. These data have been reviewed, but it has not altered its view that Aspartame is safe, and I understand that it RS still permitted in the United States of America.
Officials of the Department of Health and Social Security liaise closely with the food and drugs administration and similar bodies in other countries. This ensures a full exchange of scientific information on food additives and artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame. Any new information is reviewed by the Department who can obtain the advice of the independent expert committees to which my hon. Friend, the Member for Medway (Dame Peggy Fenner), referred in her reply to the hon. Member on 13 June at column 336. No information has been received since Aspartame was cleared for use in this country to cause the independent expert committees to alter their advice to Government that Aspartame is safe in use.