Is it safe to eat something containing Phenylalanine?

Question

It says it is a Phenylketonuric Aspartame

Why do they put this in the candy?

Answer 1

It is an artificial sweetener and is used in sugar-free candy for people who do not want or cannot eat sugar like diabetics. It is safe to eat for most people but I do not believe in consuming anything that contains artificial sweeteners.

Answer 2

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. It is actually necessary for our health, so it is completely safe to eat.

Phenylketonurics are people who have a disease called PKU for short. People with PKU disease have a genetic problem that causes them to not be able to digest phenylalanine properly. The more they eat, the more health problems it causes for them. Since aspartame (the artificial sweetener in many sugarfree products) has phenylalanine in it, people with PKU disease will want to avoid eating it. That is why there is a warning label. If you don't have PKU disease, you don't have to worry about ingesting phenylalanine. (The test for PKU is done immediately after birth, so you most likely would know by now if you have it.)

Answer 3

Generally, it is considered safe to consume this sugar substitute; except for people who have phenylketonuria. The facts about phenylalanine can be found at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylalanine

Answer 4

if you have pku (and you would know, it is what the new born heel prick is for) this is deadly, for the rest of us, if you are normal weight and height, leave it be. BUT if you are 150kg or a diabetic, it could save your life.
i prefer no sweetener to fake, but as a type 1 diabetic, i can't have real sugar so sometimes i us fake.

Answer 5

To elaborate on the previous poster's answer, the only people who really need to worry about it are those with a rare genetic disease called Phenylketonuria. It's quite rare, though, I believe the incidence is something like 1 in 10,000 people. If you're really worried, ask your physician.