[19990603]RS20218_阿斯巴甜.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20218June 3, 1999AspartameDonna V. PorterSpecialist in Life SciencesDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryRecent information broadcast on the internet, suggesting that there are healthhazards associated with use of the artificial sweetener, aspartame, has precipitatedconstituent mail to congressional offices. Since it was first approved for use as a foodadditive in 1981, aspartame has been linked by its critics to a number of health problems.However, federal officials report that, after more than a decade of monitoring, there isno clinical evidence that this artificial sweetener poses a hazard to the average consumer.Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic metabolic disorder, should avoidaspartame because it contains phenylalanine which they can not metabolize. The Foodand Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aspartame for use in all food andbeverages, following one of the most rigorous testing programs and regulatory reviewsin food additive history. Food labels are required to identify the presence of aspartameboth on the ingredient label and the warnin