As per a recent report released by the WHO, aspartame is "possibly carcinogenic to humans" citing “limited evidence” for carcinogenicity in humans. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released this report along with International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
Why is this a big concern?
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The increase in cases of cancer has drawn attention to several carcinogenic agents or cancer-causing elements, and the recent one on the radar is aspartame. “Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Every year, 1 in 6 people die from cancer. Science is continuously expanding to assess the possible initiating or facilitating factors of cancer, in the hope of reducing these numbers and the human toll,” Dr Francesco Branca, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, WHO has said.
The IARC has placed aspartame under group 2B which means there is limited evidence for cancer in humans, especially hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer. Group 2B is the third highest ranking of carcinogenic substances out of the 4 level classification of IARC. Under group 1, carcinogenic elements are placed; there is sufficient evidence for cancer in humans. In Group 2A are those substances which have limited evidence in humans but sufficient evidence in experimental animals.
Aspartame is found in several commercial products. This controversial food additive is found in over 6,000 products including toothpaste, and cokes. Several studies have found the neurobehavioral effects of aspartame which include headache, compromised memory, mood changes, and depression.
How much aspartame is safe for human consumption?
The JECFA, which played a key role in the aspartame assessment, has said that there is no sufficient evidence to reduce the acceptable daily intake of aspartame, which is 0-40 mg per kg of body weight. The WHO explains, "With a can of diet soft drink containing 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming no other intake from other food sources."
Who should avoid aspartame, even within permissible limits?
People who have phenylketonuria, an inherited disease should not consume aspartame. These people are unable to metabolize phenylalanine, a component of aspartame. After reaching the gut, aspartame is broken down into phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol.
