How worried should you be about Aspartame?
Included in the list of substances that can cause cancer
Aspartame is one of the world's most popular artificial sweeteners, it is widely used in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry...
This sweetener is considered a potential multi-carcinogen, especially in leukemia, as well as increasing the rate of cancer and kidney-related diseases and causing tumors in the peripheral nerves.
Aspartame is metabolized to aspartic acid (40%), phenylalanine (50%), and methanol (10%). Methanol then further converts to formaldehyde. Previous Ramazzini Institute tests showed that methanol and formaldehyde are susceptible to leukemia and lymphoma, according to the US National Library of Medicine.
On July 14, 2023, WHO announced the research results of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and a research group of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), included in the list of substances that can cause cancer, a list of 300 substances (group 2B).
How worried should you be about Aspartame?
At the same time, the FDA has also taken a stance on this announcement, thereby maintaining the regulations and recommendations on daily use. Quoted as follows:
Following the FDA Response to External Safety Reviews of Aspartame, The FDA is aware of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) conclusions about aspartame issued July 14, 2023. Aspartame being labeled by IARC as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” does not mean that aspartame is actually linked to cancer.
The FDA disagrees with IARC’s conclusion that these studies support classifying aspartame as a possible carcinogen to humans. FDA scientists reviewed the scientific information included in IARC’s review in 2021 when it was first made available and identified significant shortcomings in the studies on which IARC relied. We note that JECFA did not raise safety concerns for aspartame under the current levels of use and did not change the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)." Reed more here.
Overall, Aspartame is theoretically carcinogenic. But some consumers may rely on products with aspartame and/or other sweeteners to help reduce sugar consumption. Thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases related to high intake of energy-producing sugars.
It can be seen that the opinions of the their safety agencies are different, but it is not excluded that Europe will introduce stricter regulations related to Aspartame in the future.
Getting more information about Aspartame or need to update the latest information on food safety, please subscribe to Eurofins social media channel or contact us using the information below.
Read more related news
- Update valid regulations from 2023
- Sesame allergen labeling required in the US market
- Update on food nutrition labeling regulations 2022
- Latest updates on Ethylene Oxide regulations in the EU market
- Mineral oil (MOSH/MOAH) contamination in Food
- Analysis Furan and Alkylfurans residues in food
To send samples or find more information, please contact us at:
Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang
- Lot E2b-3, D6 Street, Hi-Tech Park, City. Thu Duc
- 4th floor - Building B, No. 103 Van Phuc Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
- Room 319, Vietnam - Korea High-Tech Incubator, Road No. 8, Industrial Park Tra Noc 2, O Mon District, City. Can Tho
Hotline: (+84) 28 7107 78 79 - press 1 (Sales Dept.)
Email: VN_CS@eurofinsasia.com