Aspartame-sweetened foods and beverages are safe, according to a definitive new finding issued jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The WHO and FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) reviewed decades of high-quality evidence and real-world consumption data, establishing an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) at which aspartame can be safely consumed daily over the course of an entire lifetime.
ICBA Executive Director Kate Loatman applauded the WHO and FAO finding, commenting: “This definitive conclusion by the world’s leading health and food safety experts once again affirms that aspartame is safe. After rigorous review, this landmark WHO and FAO finding further strengthens confidence in the safety of aspartame and will play a vital role in informing consumers as they consider all options to reduce sugar and calories in their diets.
“JECFA’s comprehensive conclusion that aspartame is safe builds on the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence for more than four decades, as well as positive determinations by food safety authorities in more than 90 countries,” she continued.
In line with this announcement, the American Beverage Association also addressed the new finding.
“Aspartame is safe. After a rigorous review, the World Health Organization finds aspartame is safe and ‘no sufficient reason to change the previously established acceptable daily intake,’” said Kevin Keane, Interim President and CEO of American Beverage, in response to the World Health Organization Review of Aspartame, in a statement. “This strong conclusion reinforces the position of the FDA and food safety agencies from more than 90 countries. People all around the world can be confident in consuming food and beverages with aspartame.
“The safety of our products is the highest priority for our industry,” he continued. “The purpose and expertise of food safety agencies is to ensure safety over time. The WHO has done this again, rigorously and definitively, with aspartame. With more than 40 years of science and this definitive conclusion from the WHO, consumers can move forward with confidence that aspartame is a safe choice, especially for people looking to reduce sugar and calories in their diets.” BI
WHO, FAO affirm safety of aspartame in foods, beverages
Focus and productivity are poised to become the next benefits that consumers will seek from food and drink products, as discussed in Mintel’s 2023 Global Food and Drink Trend “Staying Sharp.” According to Mintel Global Consumer research, 40% of U.S. consumers would ideally like their diet to help maintain healthy brain function. However, only a third (32%) of U.S. consumers who buy nuts, seeds, or trail mix say they would buy more of these products if they support brain health.
“Brands have an opportunity to help consumers optimize their mental performance, but there is work to be done,” said Stephanie Mattucci, CFS, director at Mintel Food & Drink Research, Chicago, in a statement. “Our research shows that fewer consumers would like their diet to ‘help maintain healthy brain function’ (40% of U.S. consumers) or ‘improve mood’ (26% of Canadian consumers) when compared to more familiar benefits like ‘strengthen the immune system’ (55% of Mexican consumers). Interest in mental and cognitive benefits is modest, but growing. Consumers need encouragement to try these products, creating an opportunity for brands to get consumers excited about brain and mood health benefits.”
At IFT 2023, Matucci discussed natural caffeine and B vitamins (among others) as ingredients that offer focus and clarity and support brain health in the next wave of functional food and drink launches to watch.
Alternative caffeine
Caffeine is a familiar ingredient: 55% of U.S. consumers currently eat or drink products with caffeine, with 83% of them consuming caffeine at least once a day. New sources of caffeine that lessen the negative effects can win over concerned coffee drinkers, given that 66% of Italian coffee drinkers agree that drinking a lot of it is bad for you. While coffee dominates caffeine ingredients in brain-supporting launches (14% of global food and drink products with caffeine-related ingredients launched in the past five years carried a brain/nervous system claim), new sources of caffeine are emerging, such as guarana, yerba mate and guayusa, and are often positioned as “natural caffeine.”
B vitamins
Mintel research indicates that B vitamins can be a safe choice for consumers, especially if brands continue to build a connection between B vitamins, energy, and overall health. B vitamins are widely used in products with an energy claim and can continue to grow by becoming affiliated with brain benefits. Nearly half (45%) of global food and drink launches with a brain/nervous system claim contained a B vitamin in the past five years. Two in five (37%) global food and drink launches with an energy functional claim contained a B vitamin. BI
Mintel spotlights ingredients to watch for mood and cognition in 2023
Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., announced that Rob Sands will retire from his role as Chair of Constellation’s Board of Directors and would not stand for re-election as Board Chair following the company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on July 18. Sands will continue in his capacity as a Board member for the company. “I’ve had the distinct privilege of serving as Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer at Constellation for more than 16 years, and in that time the company has realized tremendous success,” Sands said in a statement. “Given the continued strong performance of our business and following Constellation’s recent transition from a dual class to a single class common stock structure, I believe the time is right to transition leadership of our Board. I look forward to working with our new Board Chair and my fellow Constellation Board members as we look to further build on the company’s legacy of success.”
Yerbaé Brands Corp., Scottsdale, Ariz., announced its expansion into the Southeast region of the largest club store chain in the United States. The expansion now includes presence in 75 additional stores across eight states: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico.
Modesto, Calif.-based Almond Board of California Board of Directors selected Clarice Turner, an experienced global leader in consumer goods, foodservice and wine and spirits, as its next President and CEO. Turner is joining the Almond Board of California (ABC) after most recently serving as President of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Turner also has served as CEO and senior executive positions at Boudin Bakery, Starbucks Coffee Co., YUM! Brands, Papa Murphy's International and PepsiCo.
New York-based Boisson, a national non-alcohol beverage retailer, announced its plan to expand its business model to begin importing new non-alcohol brands from Europe and the U.K. and introducing them to the U.S. market. Among the first brands to launch is the European category leader, Kolonne Null from Berlin, producer of more than a half dozen dealcoholized wines, including popular Rosés: Riesling, Verdejo and Silvaner wines. Boisson’s business model sells directly to consumers through an online platform in 10 retail stores around the U.S., and to the beverage trade, helping consumers find the best-curated non-alcohol products available in the United States, it notes.
Dandy Blend, Valley City, Ohio, announced that it is now carried in Natural Grocers’ 164 stores across the country. Founded in 1955, the specialty retailer has locations in 21 states. Dandy Blend now is featured on shelves alongside natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements, the company notes. “Introducing more people to Dandy Blend is one of our top goals and being available in all Natural Grocers stores is an incredible opportunity,” said Karin Reale, CFO of Dandy Blend, in a statement. “My father founded Dandy Blend over 25 years ago and would be very happy to know that we continue to spread Peace + Happiness through Dandy Blend in his honor.” All products sold at Natural Grocers stores must meet strict quality guidelines and its product standards do not allow artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils, it says.