According to exclusive sources, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organisation (WHO), is expected to classify aspartame, one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners, as a possible carcinogen.
This decision, which will list aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” has raised concerns among the food industry and regulators.
It is important to note that the IARC’s classification does not consider safe consumption levels, which are determined by the WHO’s Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
The simultaneous evaluation processes of aspartame’s safety have caused concerns about potential public confusion.
The IARC’s previous decisions have had significant impacts, leading to consumer concerns, legal action, and recipe modifications.
However, the agency’s assessments have also faced criticism for causing unnecessary alarm or confusion.
The IARC categorizes substances into four categories based on the strength of evidence rather than the level of risk they pose: carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic, and not classifiable.
Aspartame falls into the “possibly carcinogenic” category, indicating limited evidence of its potential to cause cancer in humans.
The International Sweeteners Association and the International Council of Beverages Associations have expressed concerns about the IARC’s review and its potential to mislead consumers.
The classification of aspartame as a potential carcinogen is expected to prompt further investigation and discussions about the general safety of sweeteners.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
