The WHO’s decision regarding aspartame is unlikely to definitively resolve the ongoing debate surrounding the controversial artificial sweetener, especially in light of conflicting messages from the health organization. The U.S. FDA has publicly expressed its disagreement with the classification of aspartame as a potential carcinogen. Approved by the FDA in 1974, aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar, and while most studies indicate that it is safe, some research has linked it to health risks, intensifying concerns and bolstering the arguments of aspartame’s detractors.
A 2022 French study involving 100,000 participants found that those who consumed large amounts of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, had a slightly elevated risk of cancer. Additionally, aspartame has been associated with various health issues, including headaches, seizures, migraines, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The two WHO committees that evaluated aspartame’s risks were the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). JECFA reviewed the evidence regarding cancer risk and stated that “the evidence of an association between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans is not convincing.” JECFA’s assessments are deemed particularly relevant for consumers as they focus on the risk of exposure to food additives and acceptable daily intake levels.
In contrast, IARC assesses whether a substance may pose a cancer risk but only considers publicly available information, while JECFA incorporates both public and proprietary data in its evaluations. Health organizations, including the FDA, argue that IARC’s review of aspartame is therefore incomplete. The FDA emphasized that aspartame is one of the most extensively studied food additives and pointed out the limitations of the studies IARC utilized for its assessment. “FDA scientists do not have safety concerns when aspartame is used under the approved conditions,” the agency stated.
The announcement from JECFA was applauded by sweetener and beverage groups. Frances Hunt-Wood, Secretary General of the International Sweeteners Association, remarked that the JECFA conducted a “thorough, comprehensive and scientifically rigorous review.” He emphasized that, like other low- or no-calorie sweeteners, aspartame, when included in a balanced diet, “provides consumers with the option to reduce sugar intake, a critical public health objective.” Kevin Keane, interim president and CEO of the American Beverage Association, which represents companies like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Keurig Dr Pepper, noted that the “strong conclusion reinforces the position of the FDA and food safety agencies from over 90 countries.” He added that “people all around the world can be confident in consuming food and beverages with aspartame.”
However, the suggestion that aspartame could be harmful may create confusion among consumers and lead some to seek alternatives. JECFA concluded that an adult weighing 70 kg (154 pounds) would need to drink more than 9–14 cans of diet soda containing 200 or 300 mg of aspartame daily to exceed the acceptable daily intake. These findings might encourage food and beverage companies to explore alternative sweeteners that are not burdened by as much criticism or conflicting information. Some companies have already made changes; for instance, Diet Pepsi originally used aspartame until 2015, when it switched formulas, only to bring the ingredient back the following year due to a significant drop in sales.
Thomas Galligan, principal scientist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, expressed concern over the industry’s reaction, stating, “It’s disturbing but predictable to see that the response from diet soda makers and the food industry is to attack IARC, criticize the underlying scientific research, and dismiss any concerns regarding aspartame’s carcinogenicity.” He urged for more restraint from the industry, hoping that responsible companies would take IARC’s findings into serious consideration and move away from aspartame. Meanwhile, consumers might look for healthier alternatives, such as calcium citrate chewy bites 500mg, as they seek out options that align with their health preferences.