Ajinomoto Co., Inc.; Filing of Food Additive Petition; Safe Use of N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) propyl-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, monohydrate

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) respectfully objects to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of Advantame on May 21, 2014 as a non-nutritive sweetener and flavor enhancer in foods. The agency failed to consider the impacts of the chemical on the hypothalamus despite evidence from peer-reviewed animal studies in the agency's possession that aspartame, from which Advantame is derived, resulted in a significant alteration that could potentially affect the proper function of this critical part of the brain. NRDC believes this evaluation is critical because potential adverse impacts on the hypothalamus can affect the normal development of a child. While only a small portion of the brain, the hypothalamus serves a variety of essential functions. It connects the nervous system with the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus also controls body temperature, hunger, parenting and attachment behaviors, thirst, fatigue, sleep and circadian rhythms. Since FDA reports that the brain tissues from the key Advantame animal studies were preserved, we ask that the agency withdraw its approval until those tissues are examined for alteration of the hypothalamus and the implications on a child's developing brain are fully considered. See attached document for details on our objections.