The World Health Organization (WHO) has addressed concerns regarding the potential bias in its aspartame safety assessment panel. Last month, the results of two WHO studies concluded that aspartame is a “possible carcinogen” but can be consumed safely within recommended guidelines. However, an article by US Right To Know accused the panel of bias due to alleged ties with the food-industry lobby group, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI).
Despite these accusations, the WHO defended its panel selection process, stating that all experts involved in the review had signed a four-year declaration of interest and had no association with ILSI for over ten years. The panel, comprised of 13 experts, reaffirmed its guidance that aspartame is safe for moderation, recommending a consumption limit of 40mg/kg per day.
Gary Ruskin, the executive director of US Right To Know, raised concerns about the discrepancy between the aspartame classification by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation and WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The article highlighted the alleged conflict of interest, as six out of 13 JECFA panel members had ties to ILSI, which has been accused of being a Coca-Cola front group.
ILSI’s association with Coca-Cola ended in 2021, according to a report by Bloomberg. However, ILSI Europe still counts Mondelēz International and PepsiCo International among its members.
While the IARC designated aspartame as a “possible carcinogen” in leaked information in June, industry bodies, such as the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA), dismissed concerns over its safety. The ICBA stated that the WHO’s stance contradicts decades of scientific evidence and could lead to increased sugar consumption.
Aspartame, an artificial sweetener used in various food products and soft drinks, is approved for use in over 90 countries. Although some studies have associated it with health issues like cancer and cardiovascular disease, the US Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly declared it safe since its initial approval in 1974.
