No need to panic over aspartame content in your diet soda

Recent news from Reuters states that the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will soon label aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic.” However, this shouldn’t lead you to immediately throw out any sugar-free foods that contain the artificial sweetener. Why? Because the IARC only assesses the hazard of a substance, not the actual risk. For instance, there may be a hazard of a meteor destroying the Earth or the sun causing skin cancer, but what matters is the actual risk of these events happening. Similarly, the IARC reviews data and categorizes substances as carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic, or unclassifiable. This means that any substance it reviews can’t be ruled out as non-carcinogenic. Hence, the IARC can list items like “very hot beverages,” aloe vera, and wood dust as potential causes of cancer, even though the actual risk of developing cancer from them is low.

So, who should you look to for guidance on food safety instead? The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), within the WHO, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US are the appropriate entities. JECFA has deemed aspartame safe for consumption since 1981, and the FDA has also concluded that it’s safe for the general population. The FDA has reviewed over 100 studies on aspartame and continuously reevaluates its safety whenever objections arise. However, there is currently a simultaneous review of aspartame by both the IARC and JECFA, which may confuse consumers. The FDA believes that JECFA is better equipped to assess the risk associated with aspartame consumption and should take the lead in providing public health recommendations.

The FDA’s letter to the WHO emphasizes that JECFA’s review process is more reliable as it considers both public and non-public data. It’s important to note that JECFA’s review of aspartame was proposed in 2021 and endorsed by 188 countries. Additionally, respected food safety agencies such as JECFA, the FDA, and the European Food Safety Authority have extensively evaluated aspartame’s safety using high-quality scientific research over the past 40 years.

JECFA also assesses food safety from various angles, not just cancer, making its report a more comprehensive evaluation of aspartame’s health risks. So, if you want to avoid aspartame, you have that choice. However, the current ruling only suggests limited evidence that aspartame could potentially cause cancer, not that it definitively does.

Food safety agencies like JECFA and the FDA determine the accepted daily intake (ADI) of food additives. The ADI represents the amount that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without adverse effects. Scientists incorporate a safety factor when establishing the ADI to ensure health-protectiveness. The FDA sets the ADI for aspartame at 50mg per kilogram of weight, while JECFA has it at 40mg. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you could consume approximately 3,400mg of aspartame per day. A packet of NutraSweet contains about 37mg, and a 12oz can of Diet Coke contains around 200mg. This demonstrates that toxicity lies in the dosage.

However, everyone’s reaction to substances varies. If you’re prone to headaches, you may want to avoid aspartame, as some studies suggest it may trigger headaches and migraines in certain individuals. It’s also worth noting that carcinogens don’t always lead to cancer in every circumstance. Constant exposure or specific genetic factors may influence the likelihood of developing cancer.

In conclusion, a leaked report from a non-food safety agency shouldn’t be the sole basis for deciding whether to consume aspartame. It is one of the most extensively studied sweeteners, undergoing regular and rigorous reviews by food safety agencies. Until these agencies state otherwise, there’s no need to panic.

 

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Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.