The use of sweeteners in foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals requires legal authorisation. Before an approval of sweeteners as food additives they undergo extensive scientific tests, lasting up to ten years, which must prove that the amount of the additive that is expected to be consumed by humans is safe.

Below is a list of the EU Directives that are of relevance for sweeteners; the documents can be downloaded from the EUR-Lex webpage:

European Parliament and Council Directive 94/35/EC of 30 June 1994 on sweeteners for use in foodstuffs. Consolidated text, amended by 96/83/EC, 1882/2003/EC, 2003/115/EC including maximum usable doses of sweeteners in foodstuffs. published in the Official Journal L 237 of 10.09.1994: (source: EUR-Lex) http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/consleg/pdf/1994/en_1994L0035_do_001.pdf

Commission Directive 95/31/EC of 5 July 1995 laying down specific criteria of purity concerning sweeteners for use in foodstuffs. Consolidated text, amended by 98/66/EC, 2000/51/EC, 2001/52/EC, 2004/46/EC. published in the Official Journal L 178 of 28.07.1995: (source: EUR-Lex) http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/consleg/pdf/1995/en_1995L0031_do_001.pdf

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