Aspartame is classified as a ‘possible carcinogen’ by the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC), an independent agency working with the World Health Organization (WHO). (1)
Aspartame carcinogenic?
The synthetic sweetener aspartame (E 951) is widely used in a huge variety of industrial foods and beverages especially those that carry nutrition claims such as ‘zero‘ or ‘sugar-free‘-everywhere in the world.
One only has to read the ingredient lists on the label to find it in baked goods, beverages, dietary supplements, candies and chewing gum, as well as alternative sweetening preparations to sucrose.
Hitherto underestimated suspicions
The aspartame molecule was introduced with great fanfare 50 years ago. An effective and versatile sweetener, free of aftertaste and above all ‘not dangerous’-so everyone said-as saccharin had turned out to be. And studies of different opinion have been underestimated by the authorities in charge of risk assessment:
– in 1973 FDA(Food and Drug Administration) first authorized aspartame in the U.S., disregarding independent studies that associated it with serious public health risks (mental retardation, brain injury, neuro-endocrine disorders),
– in 2013 EFSA confirmed the hypothetical safety of aspartame, but overlooked a range of scientific evidence to the contrary. As shown in a critical review by British researchers (Millstone et al., 2019), who vainly urged its withdrawal from the market, (2)
– in 2021, a Portuguese and Spanish study (Finamor et al., 2021) raised the alarm. Guinea pigs treated for 12 weeks with 80 mg/kg/day of aspartame (twice the ADI) developed oxidative stress, inflammation and liver damage. (3)
Scientific studies still often associate aspartame consumption with disruption of the microbiome and even serious health risks. Not only headaches but also epilepsy and brain tumors.
IARC’s new assessment
The IARC assessment of whether aspartame should be classified as a ‘possible human carcinogen’ stems from the research of an ad hoc working group from June 6 to June 13, 2023.
On the same topic these days (June 27-July 6, 2023) a WHO-FAO group is working to decide the (possible) safe dose for aspartame consumption. The joint conclusion is expected to be published on July 14.
The IARC classification of substances suspected of causing cancer contemplates three levels of risk, in light of scientific evidence:
1 – carcinogenic,
2A – probable carcinogen,
2B – possible carcinogen.
In the last group (2B) there are 322 substances, to which aspartame could be added.
Marta Strinati
Notes
(1) Jennifer Rigby and Richa Naidu. Exclusive: WHO cancer research agency says sweetener aspartame is a possible carcinogenic source. Reuters. 29.6.23 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/whos-cancer-research-agency-say-aspartame-sweetener-possible-carcinogen-sources-2023 -06-29/
(2) Marta Strinati. Aspartame (E951) should be withdrawn from the market, the verdict of a British study. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 23.7.19
(3) Marta Strinati. Aspartame, new alert on sweetener added even in potato chips. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 7.2.21
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
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