Aspartame Under Scrutiny as a Possible Carcinogen

By Mindy Cohn

Aspartame is facing scrutiny as a possible carcinogen as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) prepares to pass judgment based on looking into the results of 1,300 studies done over the years.

Since 1981 aspartame has been pronounced safe to consume within accepted daily limits. The new ruling is not expected to be so positive, though. The popular sweetener is sold as NutraSweet, Equal, and Sugar Twin and can be found in countless products - from beverages and cereal to ice cream, candy, and gum. 

While past judgments from IARC, which operates under the World Health Organization (WHO), have been unclear and questionable as to if such pronouncements should even be under their auspices, the IARC is expected to share findings on July 14. 

Still, the IARC's ruling is not necessarily the final say regarding food safety. 

"IARC is not a food safety body, and their review of aspartame is not scientifically comprehensive and is based heavily on widely discredited research," the Secretary General of the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) says.

Aspartame is authorized for global use by major food and beverage makers. By pronouncing aspartame carcinogenic, debates will explode over both the sweetener and the role of the IARC at the same time.

Kate Loatment, the International Council of Beverages Associations' executive director, says the leaked opinion might needlessly mislead consumers into consuming more sugar instead of picking no- and low-sugar options.