In light of my love for diet soda and all things low-calorie, I thought I might share a tidbit of good news for the diet soda world.
Last year a study came out indicating aspartame (the sweetener found in diet soda and tons of other light products) might cause cancer. Although the study was not conducted properly and there were numerous problems with its design and reporting, many consumers were unduly alarmed. After the study was published, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) came out with a review of the study and denounced it.
Well, I found out today that the FDA issued a statement on the study over the weekend and here’s what it had to say:
“Based on the available data, however, we have identified significant shortcomings in the design, conduct, reporting, and interpretation of this study. FDA finds that the reliability and interpretation of the study outcome is compromised by these shortcomings and uncontrolled variables, such as the presence of infection in the test animals.”
“Considering results from the large number of studies on aspartame's safety, including five previously conducted negative chronic carcinogenicity studies, a recently reported large epidemiology study with negative associations between the use of aspartame and the occurrence of tumors, and negative findings from a series of three transgenic mouse assays, FDA finds no reason to alter its previous conclusion that aspartame is safe as a general purpose sweetener in food.”
If you’re a science dork like I am, you can read the rest of the statement here.
If you’re not a science dork, take one thing away from this entry: aspartame is safe. I feel like I have to address this subject every once in a while because I frequently get emails asking me about the safety of diet soda. It’s safe and there are oodles of studies to support this statement.
Let’s move on to another subject tomorrow…how about my disdain for the city of Raleigh?
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