2023-07-17 11:56:52
Aspartame is undoubtedly the best known sweetener to the general public. Found in a wide range of sweet foods and drinks, it provides a sweet taste without adding the calories of sugar. What is its impact on health? Subject of multiple scientific studies, successive reassessments by public authorities, it is still authorized as a food additive. On July 14, 2023, the WHO announced that aspartame could be considered a substance possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Aspartame, an artificial sweetener widely used as a food additive
L’aspartame is part of artificial sweeteners, developed over several decades to cope with the increasing caloric intake linked to the consumption of sugar. Its sweetening power 200 times greater than that of sugar allows manufacturers to add it in small quantities to a wide range of sweet foods and drinks. In Europe, aspartame is authorized as food additive and its presence is indicated on product labels by the code E951. Several sweeteners are derived from aspartame:
- Aspartame-acesulfame salt (E962);
- Neotame (E961).
Many studies have been conducted on aspartame to assess its possible health effects. EFSA, the European food safety authority, re-evaluated aspartame in 2013 and announced in June 2023 the launch of a new re-evaluation of this sweetener in the light of the latest scientific data. But the WHO has just made an announcement that could determine the future of aspartame, this food additive is now classified as a possibly carcinogenic substance.
Aspartame, a carcinogenic substance?!
The WHO announcement follows the publication of assessments by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on the health effects of aspartame. These ratings classify aspartame as a substance possibly carcinogenic to humans, IARC Group 2B. A carcinogenic or carcinogenic substance is said of a substance that can cause cancer. IARC is reviewing the carcinogenic power of different substances. To date, more than 1,000 substances have been assessed, of which 534 have been classified as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic to humans. Four groups of carcinogens are defined by the IARC:
- Group 1 carcinogens are substances with proven carcinogenic effects in humans;
- Group 2A with agents probably carcinogenic to humans;
- Group 2B, in which aspartame has been classified, includes possibly carcinogenic substances;
- Group 3 with all substances unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans.
According to the experts who carried out the evaluations on aspartame, potentially carcinogenic effects have been described in studies and should be the subject of further research.
Will manufacturers shun aspartame in favor of another sweetener?
This WHO announcement does not for the moment call into question the food additive status of aspartame. Its use is not prohibited and experts have reaffirmed that the acceptable daily dose remained 40 mg per kg body weight, i.e. a daily dose of 2.8 g for a 70 kg adult. For comparison, a can of sugar-free drink contains between 200 and 300 mg of aspartame. New studies and evaluations will soon be set up to determine more precisely the carcinogenic effect of aspartame.
For the moment, the data published by the IARC do not specify the effect of aspartame on the risk of a particular cancer for a given level of exposure. IARC considers all possible exposures and all cancers. However, the studies suggest at this stage that the carcinogenic effect of aspartame observed in the studies would relate in particular to liver cancer. Even if this announcement does not question the use of aspartame, such a classification of this sweetener could lead certain manufacturers to turn to other sweeteners and certain consumers to check the labeling of food products.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– Publication of the results of the hazard and risk assessment of aspartame. www.who.int. Accessed July 17, 2023.
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