The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has declared aspartame, one of the most common artificial sweeteners, as a possible carcinogen.
WHAT IS ASPARTAME?
Aspartame is an odorless white powder discovered in 1965 by James Schlatter, a US chemist.
It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar which means only a very small amount is needed to sweeten foods and beverages. Because it is only required in small quantities, it is used as a substitute for sugar in soft drinks.
The ingredient is approved for use in Nigeria as a non-nutritive sweetener with an acceptable daily intake of 40mg/kg of body weight.
The low-calorie sugar substitute is also approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency, and many other countries.
While aspartame has been used for decades, there have been several controversies around the ingredient. For instance, a 2017 review of studies found evidence that suggested those who regularly consume sweeteners, including aspartame, might be at greater risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Naija News gathered that IARC, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) cancer research arm, conducted an evaluation of the impact of aspartame — based on scientific data collected from a range of sources, including peer-reviewed papers, governmental reports and studies conducted for regulatory purposes.
In a separate assessment, the joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organisation’s expert committee on food additives (JECFA) said aspartame remains safe to consume at already-agreed levels of 40mg/kg of body weight.
DRINKS THAT CONTAIN ASPARTAME
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Diet Coke
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Sprite Zero Sugar
Fanta Orange – Zero Sugar
Schweppes Ginger
Schweppes Pineapple with Malt Extract
Schweppes Bitter Lemon
Red Bull Sugar-Free
Pepsi Max
Fanta Zero
7Up Zero Sugar
7Up free