The food and beverage industry is responding swiftly to reports suggesting that the World Health Organization (WHO) may classify aspartame, a popular sweetener, as “possibly carcinogenic.”
According to unnamed sources cited by Reuters, the WHO’s sub-agency for cancer research (IARC) is considering classifying aspartame as a potential carcinogen, using the same definition applied to aloe vera and pickled vegetables.
The announcement comes ahead of the release of two reports next month by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. These reports will assess the safety of aspartame.
The International Sweeteners Association (ISA), based in Brussels, expresses serious concerns about the preliminary speculation surrounding the IARC’s opinion. Frances Hunt-Wood, ISA secretary general, emphasizes that aspartame is extensively studied and has been declared safe by over 90 food safety agencies worldwide, including the European Food Safety Authority. Hunt-Wood asserts that conclusions should not be drawn until both reports from the WHO are published.
The International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA) also responds to the leak, stating that the WHO’s potential stance contradicts decades of high-quality scientific evidence. ICBA executive director Kate Loadman expresses deep concern over the opinion, as it may mislead consumers into consuming more sugar instead of choosing safe no- and low-sugar options. Loadman calls attention to the ongoing food safety review by the WHO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives for more conclusive evidence.
Loadman points out that the IARC’s ruling regarding aspartame being “possibly carcinogenic to humans” does not take into account safe consumption levels. Loadman emphasizes that aspartame has been deemed safe by numerous food safety authorities globally and expresses confidence in its safety based on overwhelming scientific evidence.
Aspartame, an artificial non-saccharide sweetener used in various food and beverages, has approvals for use in over 90 countries. While some studies have linked aspartame to health problems, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, the US Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly declared it safe since its initial approval in 1974.
These developments come shortly after the WHO released a statement emphasizing that replacing sugar with non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) does not aid in weight control.