Diet Coke fans could be in for a shock, as global health gurus plan to declare one of its key ingredients as 'cancerous to humans'.
An artificial sweetener, called Aspartame, is commonly used in sugar-free drinks and products, like chewing gum, reports the Mirror. The ingredient could be set to be classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans", by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Aspartame has been used for generations in fizzy drinks, low-fat yoghurts, chewing gum and even ice cream. WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) noted in a statement: "The IARC has assessed the potential carcinogenic effect of aspartame (hazard identification).
"Following this, the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (Jecfa) will update its risk assessment exercise on aspartame, including the reviewing of the acceptable daily intake and dietary exposure assessment for aspartame."
What's wrong with Aspartame?
According to the World Health Organisation, aspartame has "possible" links to cancer.
This statement doesn't necessarily mean the sweetener directly causes the disease - but there is some evidence that links its consumption to people who have been diagnosed.
WHO's IARC committee has two more serious categories:
- probably carcinogenic to humans
- carcinogenic to humans
When looked at in context, there are more than 1,100 different items listed among these categories - from food and drink ingredients, to living conditions and dangerous activities.
The committee previously - and rather controversially - placed working night shifts and eating red meat into the probably carcinogenic category.
They also listed using mobile phones as possibly cancer-causing.
Professor Oliver Jones, an expert in chemistry at the RMIT University in Melbourne, noted that, "just because something may possibly cause cancer does not mean that it automatically does if you are exposed to it".
He added: "The dose makes the poison."
The NHS noted that while all sweeteners undergo rigorous testing before entering the UK food market - they have already ruled aspartame unsuitable for people with rare condition phenylketonuria as it contains an ingredient sufferers can't metabolise.
What is aspartame used in?
Any product branded as a 'diet', 'low-calorie' or 'sugar-free' is most likely to have aspartame included in the ingredient list.
It's usually associated with diet fizzy drinks such as Coke Zero, Pepsi Max and Sprite and Fanta Zero.
Aspartame can be found in diet squash drinks too, as well as some foods.
Things like reduced-sugar ketchup, frozen desserts, breakfast cereals, sugar-free gum and energy bars are all known to contain the sweetener.
As well as food and drink, aspartame is also included in some medicines and supplements - like vitamin gummies or cough drops.
Instant coffee, sugar-free coffee syrups and dairy-free milks have been known to use it, too.
How long has aspartame been used in food and drink?
Food and drink companies have been using aspartame since the 1980's, when the dieting industry began to soar.
The WHO news however is likely to change the global food manufacturing market hugely.
Can aspartame be replaced with something else?
The only alternative to not consuming aspartame is by swapping out your Diet Coke and sugar-free gum for the regular version.
However, the high amounts of sugar in fizzy drinks have always been a concern for health professionals - like dentists and dieticians.
Kate Loatman, executive director of the International Council of Beverages Associations, stated that these reports could "needlessly mislead consumers into consuming more sugar rather than choosing safe no- and low-sugar options - all on the basis of low-quality studies".
There are alternatives, like natural sweeteners such as Stevia, which can be used to sweeten food and drinks that are already safe.
How much aspartame is safe to consume?
While this WHO review into aspartame has identified a potential link to cancer, no evidence has been provided into how much you can safely consume.
This news will come from the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) - who have been reviewing aspartame at the same time as IARC.
JECFA are due to announce their findings on the same day that IARC makes their decision public - on July 14.
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