A few days ago we learned that the results of an IARC (International Center for Research on Cancer) study on aspartame had been transferred to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). As we already mentioned, everything indicated that the WHO (World Health Organization), and specifically the IARC, could consider aspartame to be carcinogenic, but this has not been the case.
The results of the aspartame risk and hazard assessment were released today, and based on the results, the evidence of carcinogenicity from aspartame consumption is considered limited. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans and places it in Category 2B, whose definition is: «Possibly carcinogenic to humans»: Some evidence suggests that a product can cause cancer to humans, but at the moment these are tests that are far from conclusive.
On the other hand, the evaluation of the JECFA Committee reaffirms its previous conclusions maintaining that the acceptable daily intake of aspartame remains at 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Experts comment that after reviewing the existing scientific documentation on this sweetener, they conclude that there are limitations in the available evidence linking aspartame to cancer, as well as other unwanted health effects.
The limited evidence that has supported the International Agency for Research on Cancer to classify aspartame in Category 2B, highlights hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer), and the occurrence of cancer in animals used in research, it is also highlighted that there is limited evidence of the possible mechanisms that cause cancer. The Food Additives Experts consider that the evaluated data lead us to believe that there is no compelling reason to change the permissible daily intake, therefore this amount is reaffirmed as safe.
WHO explains that the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifications reflect the strength of scientific evidence about the potential for a given agent to cause cancer in humans, but do not reflect the risk of cancer at a level of specific exposure, hence it has been classified in group 2B. In any case, it must be said that there is a lot of scientific documentation that points to possible risks of aspartame and other non-caloric sweeteners, even the WHO advised this year that they should not be used to control body weight, although, of course, this recommendation does not It has nothing to do with cancer.
It could be a way to dissuade the population from consuming this sweetener… In any case, and despite these conclusions, the experts explain that further research is necessary to better understand whether the consumption of aspartame constitutes a risk of suffering from cancer, that is, these words can be interpreted as meaning that there is no absolute certainty and there are knowledge gaps, making it necessary to develop studies that can demonstrate causality.
It must be said that JECFA determines the possibility of cancer under certain conditions and exposure levels, but people who avoid sugar often consume products that contain sweeteners such as aspartame, and it is possible that they exceed the maximum daily intake. In short, the conclusion is that the evidence for the relationship between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans is not convincing, and further studies will have to wait before a new evaluation is carried out. By the way, the news will have been well received by the International Sweeteners Association, remember that a few days ago it issued a statement warning of the exaggerated reaction to aspartame and the risk of cancer.
Through the official WHO website, you will be able to find out more details about the statement made, and through this article in The Lancet Oncology, you will be able to find out the details of the study and the review carried out.
