On February 4, 2025, World Cancer Day, Yuka, the French League against Cancer and Foodwatch are launching a petition to ban aspartame. (1) This synthetic sweetener (European code E951) was classified in July 2023 as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO). (2) And yet it is widely present in foods and drinks.
Aspartame, not only a possible carcinogen
Over 30 years of scientific evidence indicate that aspartame is also associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (3)
Several studies also demonstrate that this sweetener has no positive effect on weight and, in the long term, could even promote overweight.
Found in more than 2500 ‘light’ products
The aspartame is still used as a sugar substitute in over 2500 ‘light’ or ‘sugar-free’ products sold in Europe. Not counting drugs and supplements. It is added to soft drinks (Coca-Cola Zero, Pepsi Max, Sprite Zero, etc.), energy drinks, chewing gum, but also to other products such as sweets and protein desserts. (4,5)
It is therefore not surprising that 40% of Europeans surveyed regularly consume products containing aspartame, as revealed by a YouGov survey for Foodwatch.
Cancer risk already in half a can of soda
INSERM’s 2022 epidemiological study on aspartame identifies a cancer risk from consuming as little as half a can of a soft drink containing aspartame per day. A level of risk that makes the spread of this sweetener a public health issue.
The three organizations promoting the petition recall that ‘the evaluation of aspartame by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2013 raised numerous criticisms related to conflicts of interest. Once again, the aim is to change this at the political level. Since there is no concrete evidence that aspartame is safe for health, it should no longer be allowed on the European market.’
The petition to eliminate aspartame
In an unprecedented mobilization, Yuka, the French Cancer League, and Foodwatch are launching a petition in eleven European countries-Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland-that can be signed at this link https://tinyurl.com/mwahd3yp
The objective is to put pressure on the European institutions to ban this additive and to urge the EU Member States to take action. ‘The precautionary principle provided for by European regulation requires that it be banned,’ explain the activists.
In the first day since its launch, the petition has gathered more than 32 thousand signatures.
Marta Strinati
Footnotes
(1) Say no to aspartame in foods and drinks! Foodwatch. https://www.foodwatch.org/en/diciamo-no-allaspartame-in-alimenti-e-bevande?mtm_source=newsletter_int_yuka&mtm_campaign=2025_02_4_campaign_Aspartam_yuka
(2) Marta Strinati. Aspartame is a possible carcinogen, according to IARC. FT (Food Times). 30.6.23
(3) Marta Strinati. Aspartame and health risks, a brief scientific review. FT (Food Times). 20.8.23
(4) Marta Strinati. Aspartame, the probable carcinogen in chewing gum and soft drinks. FT (Food Times). 31.8.23
(5) Marta Strinati. Heart attacks and arrhythmias. The dark side of energy drinks. 16 compared. FT (Food Times). 26.1.25
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".
