The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is expected to make a significant announcement on July 14 regarding the widely used artificial sweetener, aspartame.
According to sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, the IARC is likely to declare aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” a classification that has stirred concerns among industry stakeholders and health experts alike.
Aspartame, known for its intense sweetness, is commonly found in low-calorie food and drinks such as Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, sugar-free Jell-O, Nutrasweet, Equal, Trident’s sugar-free gum, and Crystal Light. Despite its prevalence and popularity, recent studies have raised doubts about the safety of this artificial sweetener.
The forthcoming decision by the IARC has sparked anticipation and controversy. It is important to note that the IARC’s evaluation focuses on identifying potential hazards based on available evidence, rather than determining safe consumption levels.
This distinction will be clarified by the Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization’s Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which is expected to release a separate report regarding the acceptable intake of aspartame.
Several recent studies have contributed to the ongoing debate. In 2022, a study published in PLOS Medicine suggested a possible link between high levels of aspartame consumption and an increased risk of breast and obesity-related cancers.
Another study conducted in the same year found a potential association between aspartame and anxiety in mice, with effects potentially extending across multiple generations.
The approval history of aspartame adds another layer to the discussion. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved aspartame as a tabletop sweetener in 1974 and later as a general sweetener in 1996. However, some industry representatives have defended the safety of aspartame, citing support from various food safety agencies, including the FDA.
As the WHO’s IARC prepares to announce its classification, the debate surrounding the safety of aspartame continues. The decision, which does not address safe consumption levels, will likely prompt further discussion and research. Industry stakeholders, health experts, and consumers are eagerly awaiting both the IARC’s ruling and the JECFA’s report to gain a clearer understanding of the potential risks associated with aspartame consumption.
Sources: REUTERS, FORBES
Featured Image: by Ben Schumin