In a recent development, the sweetener aspartame commonly found in various foods and fizzy drinks is expected to receive an official classification as "possibly carcinogenic" to humans, according to several reports.
This news has stirred confusion among the public, as it remains unclear whether the risk associated with aspartame is significant or minimal.
It is worth noting that other substances in the "possible carcinogenic" category include aloe vera, diesel, and pickled Asian vegetables.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization, is set to make an announcement regarding aspartame on July 14.
Aspartame, a highly sweet alternative to sugar, provides the desirable taste without the added calories. It can be found in various diet or sugar-free products, including popular drinks like Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, and 7 Up Free. Additionally, aspartame can be purchased separately for use in teas, coffees, yogurts, and numerous other items.
Despite being in use for decades and approved by food safety bodies, aspartame remains a topic of intense controversy.
IARC study
The IARC has been meticulously reviewing approximately 1,300 studies on aspartame and its potential links to cancer.
Although it is expected that aspartame will be classified as "possibly carcinogenic," the actual level of risk associated with the sweetener remains unclear.
It is important to understand that IARC categorizations primarily indicate the strength of evidence rather than the level of risk posed by a substance.
IARC uses four possible classifications:
- Group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans
- Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic to humans
- Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans
- Group 3- Not classifiable
Kevin McConway, a professor of statistics at the Open University, clarifies the IARC categorization, stating that it does not provide direct information about the actual risk of aspartame.
McConway emphasizes that the evidence linking substances to cancer in the "possibly" category, such as diesel, talc on the perineum, nickel, aloe vera, Asian pickled vegetables, and others, is not robust enough to warrant classification in Group 1 or 2A.
Criticism has been directed towards the IARC for their classifications, which have occasionally caused unnecessary alarm.
For instance, processed red meat was categorized as carcinogenic, leading to misleading reports comparing its risks to smoking. While the risk of developing bowel cancer from consuming an extra 1.7oz (50g) of bacon daily for the rest of one's life is indeed present, it is important to consider the overall context.
The Joint World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization's Expert Committee report on Food Additives, expected in July, aims to provide comparable data for aspartame.
The current stance, since 1981, has been that a daily intake of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is considered safe. For a 60kg adult, this equates to approximately 12 to 36 cans of diet drinks per day, depending on the specific ingredients.
What experts say
Various experts and organizations have weighed in on the topic.
Kate Loatman, executive director of the International Council of Beverages Associations, urges public health authorities to be cautious with the "leaked opinion," as it may mislead consumers into opting for sugar-rich alternatives instead of safe no- and low-sugar options.
Rick Mumford, the deputy chief scientific adviser to the UK's Food Standards Agency, states that they will closely examine the reports, but reiterates that aspartame's safety has been evaluated by numerous scientific committees, affirming its safety at current permitted use levels.
Previous studies on aspartame and cancer have yielded mixed results. An early 2000s study linking aspartame to cancer in mouse and rat experiments faced criticism.
A study done last year comprising of 105,000 people, compared people who consumed no sweeteners with those who did. It was found that high levels of sweeteners were linked to a higher risk of cancer. But, there are many differences in the health and lifestyles between the two groups, making this experiment unreliable according to BBC
Frances Hunt-Wood, from the International Sweeteners Association, said: "Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly researched ingredients in history, with over 90 food safety agencies across the globe declaring it is safe."