A sweetener that is widely used in a variety of foods and fizzy drinks is set to be classified as "possibly carcinogenic" to humans, according to reports. It has been reported that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will make an announcement on July 14.
Previous studies of the aspartame sweetener suggested a possible link between aspartame consumption and health issues such as cancer, neurological disorders, and metabolic disturbances although research so far has not provided sufficient evidence to support the claims. Recently there has been controversy around the ingredient as the IARC, the cancer research arm of the World Health Organisation, has been reviewing around 1,300 studies on aspartame and cancer. The Reuters news agency claims that sources close to the process have said that aspartame will be classified as "possibly carcinogenic".
What is aspartame?
Aspartame can be found in around 6,000 food products and is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is widely used in food and drink as well as being available as a sweetener to add to your tea, coffee, and home baking.
What is aspartame made of?
It's made out of two naturally occurring amino acids called phenylalanine and aspartic acid. These amino acids are also components of proteins in our body and within food. The phenylalanine in aspartame has been modified by adding a methyl group which gives aspartame its sweet taste, according to the European Food Safety Authority.
What food and drinks contain aspartame?
You'll find aspartame in drinks, desserts, sweets, dairy products, chewing gums, energy-reduced and weight control products and even as a sweetener for tea and coffee. You'll also find it in branded sugar-free fizzy pop like Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, and 7 Up Free. Other well-known products containing aspartame include Dr Pepper, some Fanta flavours, Muller Light yoghurts, Wrigley's Extra sugar-free chewing gum, some Lucozade drinks, Tango Orange, Irn Bru, Powerade, Ribena Light and some toothpastes and sugar-free cough drops among others.
Is aspartame carcinogenic?
The 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
According to Kevin McConway, professor of statistics at the Open University, the results will tell us how strong the evidence is but not how risky a substance is to your health. He told the BBC: "The IARC categorisation won't tell us anything about the actual level of risk from aspartame because that's not what IARC categorisations mean." He added: "I emphasise though that the evidence that these things could cause cancer is not very strong or they would have been put in group 1 or 2A." 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."
