FSA: Aspartame ‘safe to consume’ after sweetener listed as carcinogenic

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said it has “no plans” to carry out a new risk assessment of aspartame after studies found it was “possibly carcinogenic” but “safe to consume” at certain levels.

 

The sweetener is used in a number of well-known drinks brands including diet versions of Coca Cola and Schweppes.

 

The ruling followed a review of research last month by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

This led to a public announcement on 14 July, when aspartame was officially listed as a "possible carcinogen" for the first time.

 

The classification means there is limited evidence that a substance can cause cancer.

 

JECFA, the WHO committee on additives, also reviewed aspartame use last month.

 

However, news of the IARC ruling was leaked to the media prior to any public announcement from JECFA on its assessment of the health impacts of aspartame.

 

While the IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic, putting it in the same category as products such as kimchi and aloe vera, the JECFA said the acceptable daily intake of aspartame would remain unchanged at 40mg/kg per day.

 

This level is equivalent to a person weighing 70kg consuming between nine and 14 500ml cans of artificially sweetened drinks daily.

 

The FSA’s chief scientific adviser, professor Robin May, said: “JECFA’s report supports the FSA’s view that aspartame is safe to consume at current permitted use levels.”

 

The FSA said it was "disappointed" the IARC’s report had leaked and caused public concern but added: “As JECFA has found that aspartame is safe to consume at current permitted use levels, there are no plans to carry out a new risk assessment on aspartame.

 

“While the IARC report finds that evidence of an association between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans is limited, we welcome the WHO’s call for more and better studies to help increase understanding of this potential issue.”

 

Similarly, secretary general of the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) Frances Hunt-Wood said: “JECFA has once again reaffirmed aspartame’s safety after conducting a thorough, comprehensive, and scientifically rigorous review.

 

"Aspartame, like all low/no calorie sweeteners, when used as part of a balanced diet, provides consumers with choice to reduce sugar intake, a critical public health objective.”

 

*Image: Benz-Anucha / Shutterstock *