The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that aspartame, a non-sugar sweetener, has been classified as a potential carcinogen. However, they also stated that it is safe to consume it daily, with a recommended intake of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. The assessments of aspartame were conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the WHO’s Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
According to the WHO, aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in various food and beverage products, including diet drinks, chewing gum, ice cream, yogurt, breakfast cereal, toothpaste, cough drops, and chewable vitamins.
The IARC classified aspartame as a possible carcinogen to humans (Group 2B), citing limited evidence of carcinogenicity in both humans and animals. The JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight for aspartame.
Dr. Mary Schubauer-Berigan, from the IARC Monographs Programme, emphasized the need for further research to better understand the potential carcinogenic hazards associated with aspartame consumption, considering the limited evidence available regarding its carcinogenicity in humans and animals.
Both the IARC and the JECFA conducted independent reviews of the available scientific literature on aspartame and highlighted the limitations in the evidence for cancer and other health effects.
The IARC’s classification was based on limited evidence of cancer in humans, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer), as well as limited evidence regarding the mechanisms through which aspartame may cause cancer.
The JECFA concluded that there was no significant reason to change the previously determined acceptable daily intake of 0-40 mg/kg body weight for aspartame. They confirmed that it is safe to consume aspartame within this limit per day.
To put it into perspective, the WHO explained that an adult weighing 70 kg would need to consume more than 9-14 cans of diet soft drinks containing 200-300 mg of aspartame per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming no other intake from other food sources.
Dr. Francesco Branca, the Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at the WHO, emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the factors contributing to cancer, as it remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
In summary, while the safety of aspartame is generally not a major concern at common consumption levels, the WHO and IARC have highlighted the need for further studies to investigate potential effects associated with aspartame consumption. The IARC’s classification indicates its potential as a carcinogen, but it does not reflect the actual risk of developing cancer at typical exposure levels.
