Sweetener in soft drinks, chewing gum is carcinogenic, WHO now says

Aspartame, which is also found in some chewing gums, could be listed in July as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” for the first time by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The agency is part of the World Health Organisation.

The result would have ramifications for the food industry and its regulators and it is set to be revealed on July 14. The Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Expert Committee on Food Additives is also reviewing aspartame and will announce its decision the same day.

“Carcinogens may occur naturally in the environment, such as ultraviolet rays in sunlight and certain viruses, or may be generated by humans, such as automobile exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke,” the institute said.

“All sweeteners in Great Britain undergo a rigorous safety assessment before they can be used in food and drink,” according to the NHS. “All approved sweeteners are considered a safe and acceptable alternative to using sugar. The law determines how much sweetener can be used and in which products.”

At present, the guidance has not ruled out the additive for general consumption.

However, the NHS said aspartame is not suitable for people with phenylketonuria, a rare inherited condition, because it contains phenylalanine, which people with PKU cannot metabolise.

Here are some common foods and beverages that contain aspartame:

by The Evening Standard

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/aspartame-cancer-research-agency-sweetener-carcinogen-b1091096.html