An artificial sweetener found in Diet Coke and other soft drinks has now been declared as a “possible carcinogen”, meaning there is limited evidence it can cause cancer.
Aspartame, which is also found in some chewing gums, is now classed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” for the first time by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The agency is part of the World Health Organisation.
Two WHO panels came together to assess whether aspartame is a potential hazard or not, based on all the published evidence. While they did not deliberate on how much of a product a person can safely consume, WHO advice has been put forward separately.
Expert panels therefore continue to recommend that people should consume less than 40mg/kg of the sweetener a day.
“If consumers are faced with the decision of whether to take cola with sweeteners or one with sugar, I think there should be a third option considered — which is to drink water instead,” said the WHO’s head of nutrition, Francesco Branca.
Ramifications for the food industry and its regulators are set to be revealed today (July 14). The Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Expert Committee on Food Additives is also reviewing aspartame and will announce its decision today.
These are what the terms mean.
What is a carcinogen?
A carcinogen is, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute, a substance, organism, or agent capable of causing cancer.
“Carcinogens may occur naturally in the environment, such as ultraviolet rays in sunlight and certain viruses, or may be generated by humans, such as automobile exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke,” the institute said.
Most carcinogens work by interacting with a cell’s DNA to produce mutations. More than 500 substances have been identified as definitive, probable, or possible carcinogens for humans. Asbestos and processed meat are other examples.
The institute’s Carolyn Hutter said: “I should stress that exposure to a carcinogen does not necessarily mean you will get cancer. A number of factors influence whether a person exposed to a carcinogen will ultimately develop cancer, including the amount and duration of the exposure, exposure to other environmental factors, and the individual’s genetic background.”
What is aspartame?
Aspartame is one of eight sweeteners that can be used instead of sugar to enhance food and drink as well as gum and toothpastes. As well as Diet Coke, it can be found in confectionery and yoghurt.
“All sweeteners in Great Britain undergo a rigorous safety assessment before they can be used in food and drink,” according to the NHS. “All approved sweeteners are considered a safe and acceptable alternative to using sugar. The law determines how much sweetener can be used and in which products.”
The NHS said sweeteners may not make a product healthy to eat but they can be used as a way of replacing sugar.
Should I avoid taking aspartame?
At present, the guidance has not ruled out the additive for general consumption.
However, the NHS said aspartame is not suitable for people with phenylketonuria, a rare inherited condition, because it contains phenylalanine, which people with PKU cannot metabolise.
If a product contains aspartame, the ingredients list will include aspartame or its E number E951. There will also be a separate warning on the product label that it contains a source of phenylalanine.
What foods contain aspartame?
Anything labelled as “diet”, “no” or “low calorie”, or “sugar free” may have aspartame in.
Here are some common foods and beverages that contain aspartame:
- Zero-sugar or diet sodas, including Diet Coke, Pepsi Max, Coke Zero, Sprite, and Fanta Zero
- Some sugar-free squash and cordials
- Sugar-free chewing gum
- Certain low-fat yogurts, including Müller Corner
- Certain breakfast cereals
- Reduced-sugar condiments, such as ketchup
- Tabletop sweeteners
- Sugar-free coffee syrups
- Gelatin
- Mousses
What other foods and drinks are carcinogens?
There aren’t many foods that cause cancer, according to Cancer Research UK, but eating processed and red meat can increase the risk of bowel cancer.
Eating burned food does not cause cancer, the charity has said, despite some belief to the contrary.
The Cancer Research guidance added: “Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame can be found in lots of products from diet versions of fizzy drinks to chewing gum. They do not cause cancer in humans.”
