5 September, 2023

Aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic.” Do we have to stop consuming it or consume less?

The risk assessment of aspartame is a topic of interest both in Spain and throughout Europe, since it has been categorized by the International Cancer Research Center (IARC) as a possible carcinogen for humans (IARC Group 2B).

Aspartame is a low-calorie, intense artificial sweetener, about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is a white powder, odorless. In Europe, it is authorized to be used as a food additive in food products such as beverages, desserts, sweets, dairy products, chewing gum, products to reduce energy content and weight control, and as a sweetener.

Consumers can identify foods that contain aspartame by looking at ingredient lists on product labels. Like all food additives, aspartame has been assigned an “E number” after authorization. Its presence in foods can be indicated by its name (i.e. “aspartame”) or by its E 951 number.

In the European Union, the use of aspartame was first authorized in several Member States during the 1980s, and European legislation harmonizing its use in food was introduced in 1994, after rigorous safety evaluations (1984, 1987, 1989 ) carried out by the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF – former scientific committee of the European Union before EFSA was created in 2002).

In 1984, the SCF established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame of 40 mg/kg body weight. A subsequent review of all original and more recent data on aspartame was carried out in 2002 by the SCF and reconfirmed the previously established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame.

In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) have published their assessments of the health effects of aspartame.

Concerns about carcinogenic potential

Some scientific studies have raised concerns about the carcinogenic potential of aspartame, suggesting that its consumption may be linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. These claims have led to aspartame being classified as “possibly carcinogenic.”

Regulatory authorities and food safety agencies have conducted extensive safety evaluations of aspartame. The IARC has classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on limited evidence for cancer in humans (specifically, hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer).

And because of this “limited evidence” to date on its carcinogenic potential in humans, the Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), as well as the WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), have concluded that aspartame is safe for consumption within the established limits of acceptable daily intake (ADI) of this product, which is 40 mg/kg of body weight.
The ADI represents the amount of aspartame that can be consumed daily throughout life without health risks.

Maintaining safety and recommendations of aspartame

Importantly, risk assessments and regulatory decisions are based on available scientific evidence and are subject to periodic review as new data and studies are collected. Authorities are committed to protecting public health and therefore make decisions based on the best scientific knowledge available.

JECFA has concluded that the data evaluated did not provide sufficient evidence to modify the previously established acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame. Therefore, the Committee has reaffirmed that consuming a daily amount within this limit (40 mg/kg body weight) does not represent any health risk.

Thus, as an example, an adult weighing 70 kg would need to consume more than 9-14 cans of diet soda containing 200 or 300 mg of aspartame per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, as long as they do not consume other foods with aspartame.

Despite claims of possible carcinogenic risks, regulatory agencies have maintained the safety of aspartame within limits based on current scientific evidence. However, it is essential that consumers follow the recommendations and consumption limits established by the authorities to guarantee safe and adequate intake of this artificial sweetener.

IARC and WHO will continue to monitor new evidence and encourage independent research groups to undertake further studies into the possible link between exposure to aspartame and the health effects of consumers.