Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines cautioning against the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control. The guidelines suggest that long-term use of these sweeteners may increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues. Now, the WHO is signaling that it may issue a new warning specifically on aspartame, a commonly used sweetener in ready-to-drink teas and carbonated soft drinks.
According to the Washington Post, sources have revealed that the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will declare aspartame “possibly carcinogenic to humans” on July 14. This decision comes after a review conducted by the agency’s external experts.
In addition to the IARC, another WHO committee is also reviewing aspartame and will announce its own findings on the same day. They may provide guidance on safe consumption levels for individuals. However, the fact that a second committee is assessing aspartame has caused concern among industry insiders and regulators in the US and Japan. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in Japan has urged the bodies to coordinate their efforts to avoid confusion among the public.
Despite the upcoming announcement by the IARC, some experts and industry representatives remain skeptical. Frances Hunt-Wood, secretary general of the International Sweeteners Association, argues that the IARC is not a food safety body and its review of aspartame is not scientifically comprehensive. Several studies have found a link between aspartame and an increased risk of cancer, but questions have been raised about the methodology of these studies.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the safety of aspartame five times since approving its use in 1981. Nearly 100 countries have also deemed it safe. Kevin Keane, the interim CEO of the American Beverage Association, emphasizes the broad consensus in the scientific and regulatory community that supports the safety of aspartame.
In conclusion, the WHO is expected to release a new warning on aspartame, declaring it “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” However, there are differing opinions within the industry and among regulators regarding the safety of this sweetener. The FDA and food safety agencies worldwide continue to support the safety of aspartame.
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