Stanisland Magazine

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener which is used in thousands of products including Coca-Cola, is to be labeled a possible cancer risk.

Used the world over in diet soda drinks, chewing gums and other food products, the artificial sweetener known as aspartame is to be labeled carcinogenic. This means there is a possibility that the additive potentially contains cancer causing properties.

Research leading to the verdict will have been carried out for the decision to have been reached. In the past, the only evidence for the suspicion of aspartame being a carcinogenic sweetener was anecdotal, with many claiming chronic pain and illness was caused by the additive.

The final say will prospectively see aspartame listed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the WHO’s (World Health Organisation) cancer division and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

At present, the sweetener is approved safe for consumption by many leading health bodies. At this stage its classification is rumour though it is reasonable to assume that being an artificial sweetener, verification of the decision will approach soon and interest in any applicable research will make for interesting reading.

Photo credit: Mikael Stenberg