The World Health Organization’s (WHO) associated groups, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Joint Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), announced that while the sweetener aspartame is classified as a “possible carcinogen,” it remains safe to consume at the current recommended levels.
Aspartame, a widely used sweetener in products ranging from diet sodas to chewing gum, was labelled a “possible carcinogen” by the IARC, suggesting limited evidence of its potential to cause cancer. However, the JECFA, following a comprehensive review, found no convincing evidence of harm from aspartame, recommending a consumption limit of 40mg/kg per day, a guideline set in 1981 and adopted globally.
The rulings by the WHO panels consider both the potential hazard a substance may pose and the real-life risk based on consumption levels. For instance, a person weighing 60-70kg would need to drink more than 9-14 cans of soda daily to exceed the recommended aspartame limit, a level approximately ten times the average consumption.
Aspartame’s Potential Carcinogenic Hazard Amid Health Concerns
IARC’s classification follows three human studies linking hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer, to sweetener consumption and some limited evidence from animal studies. However, several independent scientists have described the cancer-linking evidence as weak.
The WHO and JECFA’s conclusion on aspartame prompted calls for additional research into its potential carcinogenic hazard and encouraged consumers to consider alternatives like water instead of sugar or sweetener-laden beverages. Some health professionals expressed worry that the new classification might encourage diet soda consumers to shift to sugar-filled drinks, emphasizing that weight gain and obesity pose greater health risks.
