According to a WHO press release on July 14 (Vietnam time), the assessment of aspartame was conducted in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO, and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
Citing “limited evidence” of potential carcinogenicity in humans, the IARC has classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (IARC Group 2B), while JECFA reaffirmed that the “acceptable daily intake” is 40 mg per kg of body weight.
Diet sodas and other diet beverages are common sources of aspartame. – (Illustration photo from HEALTH LINE)
These two agencies conducted independent investigations before agreeing on the classification of aspartame as a potential carcinogen.
Group 2B is the third highest level out of four levels used by IARC to classify potential carcinogens, determined when there is limited but not yet convincing evidence in humans or only convincing evidence from animal studies.
“Assessments of aspartame have indicated that while safety is not a primary concern at commonly used doses, the potential effects described need further investigation through better studies,” stated Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO.
Dr. Branca also warned that cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with 1 in 6 people dying from cancer each year.
The WHO press release also reassured that the maximum allowable dose – under 40 mg per 1 kg of body weight – is equivalent to an adult needing to consume 9-14 cans of diet soda daily if they do not consume any other aspartame-containing foods.
Aspartame, a type of “diet sugar,” is present not only in “sugar-free” beverages for dieters but also in many other foods such as chewing gum, breakfast cereals, ice cream, yogurt, toothpaste, cough syrup, and sweet-flavored chewable vitamins.
IARC and WHO continue to monitor new evidence and encourage independent research groups to develop deeper studies on the potential links between aspartame exposure and health impacts on consumers.
