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News Update - February 21st 2003
EU MEPS VOTE FOR SWEETENER RE-EVALUATIONS

On Feb 19th Members (MEPs) of the European Parliament's Environment,
Public Health and Consumer Policy Committee voted for a re-evaluation of
the artificial sweetener aspartame (E951).  The Amendment proposed by
Belgian Green MEP, Paul Lannoye included a proposal to improve the
labeling of products containing aspartame.  The natural sweetener stevia
was also voted to be re-evaluated for Europe-wide use.  Stevia is
currently non-approved in the EU.

Other proposed Amendments to the Sweeteners Directive 94/35/EC put
forward by the EC related to the new artificial sweetener sucralose,
which was accepted by the Committee as was aspartame-acesulfame salt.
However, the Committee voted for a review of the use of sucralose and
aspartame-acesulfame salt in three years' time. For cyclamate (currently
banned in the US and other countries), the Committee members voted for a
maximum level in soft drinks of 250mg/l.  This level is below that
proposed by the European Commission.

All the Amendments as voted on in Committee will now go forward to be
voted on at the European Parliament's next Plenary Session, expected in
March in Strasbourg.

FURTHER INFORMATION Draft Report and Amendments - Agenda Item 14 for
19th February 2003:

http://www.europarl.eu.int/meetdocs/committees/envi/20030219/
ENVI20030219.htm