WHO and FAO: Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released
Please see IARC - WHO - JECFA Joint Press Release for more information.
Two reports by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have been published today that assessed the potential health risks associated with Aspartame* consumption. These reports, issued by 2 separate bodies, class Aspartame as a possible carcinogen in humans, but acknowledge the need for further research, and recommend no change to the maximum recommended intake.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report:
- Classes Aspartame as a possible carcinogen to humans on the basis of ‘limited evidence’ (IARC Group 2B)
- Group 2B is the third of four levels of hazard classification and it is generally used when there is either limited, but not convincing, evidence for cancer in humans or convincing evidence for cancer in experimental animals.
- Concluded that the latest assessment of the data did not give sufficient reason to change the previously established acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–40 mg/kg body weight for aspartame.
- The committee therefore reconfirmed that it is safe for a person to consume Aspartame within this limit.
- For example, a can of diet soft drink contains 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, well below the ADI. An adult weighing 70kg would need to consume 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming no other intake from other food sources. For children, it would be proportionally less.
Both reports highlighted limitations in the scientific evidence base and the need for further research in this area.
Hattie Burt, Senior Policy and International Projects Officer for World Action on Salt, Sugar & Health (WASSH) says:
"Non-sugar sweeteners like aspartame have been used by the food and drink industry as a way to reduce sugars whilst maintaining sweetness. This new assessment from the WHO should encourage companies to reduce the overall sweetness of their products rather than relying so much on sweeteners. When done correctly, reformulation can gradually remove excess sugars, salt and saturated fat from foods to improve their overall healthiness without the need for replacement ingredients such as non-sugar sweeteners."
"Worryingly, sugar consumption in the UK is still double the recommended levels due to a food system that promotes overconsumption of excessively sweet products high in salt and saturated fat. This is why reducing sugar consumption should remain a priority. However, based on recent WHO reports, it is clear that the UK government needs a comprehensive strategy to reduce not just sugar but overall product sweetness, including clearer labelling of non-sugar sweeteners like aspartame."
Dr Francesco Branca, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, World Health Organization says:
“The assessments of aspartame have indicated that, while safety is not a major concern at the doses which are commonly used, potential effects have been described that need to be investigated by more and better studies."
“If consumers are faced with the decision of whether to take cola with sweeteners or one with sugar, I think there should be a third option considered – which is to drink water instead.”
* Aspartame is an artificial sweetener, used as a sugar substitute in various food and drink products, especially low calorie "diet" or "light" alternatives including diet drinks, chewing gum, ice cream, yoghurt, and breakfast cereal.
