Aspartame is often used, for example, in soft drinks and sweets.
The World Health Organization WHO has declared the sweetener aspartame a “possible carcinogen”. However, the WHO considers that the use of aspartame is safe if the daily usage recommendations are not exceeded.
Aspartame is one of the most commonly used sweeteners. It is often used, for example, in soft drinks and sweets. Until now, the world’s health authorities have generally considered it safe.
The cancer risk classification was made by the WHO’s internal cancer research agency IARC. The IARC classification does not prohibit or limit the use of aspartame, but the Food Industry, for example, closely monitors its decisions.
JECFA, another expert committee under the WHO, announced in its own review that there is no convincing evidence that the use of aspartame is harmful. JECFA recommends that consumers adhere to the acceptable daily intake of aspartame, which is 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
Before the WHO aspartame communication, the head of the organization’s food safety department Francesco Branca tried to open up to consumers at the press conference what the declaration means in practice.
– If consumers have to make a decision about whether they take cola with sweeteners or sugar, I think the third option should also be considered, i.e. drinking water [edellisten vaihtoehtojen] instead, Branca said.