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Letter to the Editor – Howick Pakuranga Times (7 May 2008)

Your story 'Push to remove drinks containing sugar substitute from schools' (28 April) contains errors of fact.

In his report on NZFSA's risk management framework one of the issues international reviewer Dr Stuart Slorach looked at was that of aspartame. He noted "... aspartame is one of the most studied food additives of all and is considered by a large number of both international (e.g. JECFA and EFSA) and national (e.g. US and Canada) expert bodies that have evaluated it to be safe for use as a food additive."

Aspartame is an intense sweetener – about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It’s used to replace conventional sugar in low calorie or sugar free foods, including carbonated soft drinks, yoghurt and confectionary. Aspartame has been authorised for many years in many countries following thorough safety assessments. It offers a safe, low calorie option for anyone who wants or needs to limit their sugar intake; and unlike sugar, aspartame does not contribute to tooth decay.

It contains two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine as a methyl ester. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are found in foods that contain protein, such as meats, grains and dairy products. Methyl esters are also found in fruits and vegetables. Aspartame is digested to aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. These compounds occur naturally in foods, are absorbed, metabolised and excreted by normal body processes.

NZFSA's website has science-based information on aspartame, and interested readers can also download the Dr Slorach's report.

Sandra Daly

NZFSA Deputy Chief Executive