New Research Links Aspartame to Cancer, While Others Assert Its Safety
New findings from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO), suggest that the artificial sweetener aspartame may be carcinogenic. However, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), another WHO-affiliated group, maintains that aspartame is safe for consumption at current recommended levels.
Aspartame is widely used in popular diet sodas like Coke Zero and Diet Coke, as well as in sugar-free foods, chewing gum, and other products.
According to Francesco Branca, director of the WHO Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, further investigation is needed to fully understand the potential effects of aspartame. He emphasized that while there are no major safety concerns at common doses, it is important to address the new findings through improved studies.
The IARC classifies aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic,” specifically associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer. However, it also acknowledges that the limited evidence from three studies may have been affected by chance, bias, or other flaws.
Interestingly, aspartame shares its classification with various substances, including engine exhaust, gasoline, infection with type 2 HIV, coconut oil soaps, aloe vera, pickled vegetables, and nickel.
On the other hand, JECFA concluded that there is no convincing evidence, based on animal and human data, that aspartame has adverse effects. The committee stated that the previously established acceptable daily intake of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight remains appropriate.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recommended daily limit for aspartame is 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Therefore, occasional consumption of products containing aspartame, such as Diet Coke or chewing gum, is unlikely to pose any risk.
It is important to note that IARC’s role is to assess the scientific evidence of cancer hazards, while JECFA evaluates all potential health impacts and conducts risk assessments. This distinction leads to differing conclusions on the safety of aspartame.
Despite conflicting reports, several public health agencies, including the FDA, have consistently stated that aspartame is safe. Concerns have been raised about potential confusion among the general public and the food and beverage industry due to these contradictory findings.
The FDA supports the safety of aspartame and considers it one of the most thoroughly studied food additives. The evidence continues to demonstrate that aspartame is safe when produced under proper manufacturing practices and used within approved conditions.
In a letter addressed to the WHO in 2022, a top official from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expressed concerns about the concurrent review. The HHS stated that JECFA’s assessment, which considers all relevant toxicological endpoints, is more comprehensive compared to IARC’s incomplete review based on publicly available data. A complete review is vital to avoid confusing consumers, the HHS argued.
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