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Oct 26, 2023

'Ingredient in Diet Coke is a Possible Cause of Cancer'

Dramatic finding: A widely used artificial sweetener, found in products such as Coca-Cola diet sodas and some Snapple drinks, is expected to be classified as a potential carcinogen, a cause of cancer

Dramatic finding: A widely used artificial sweetener, found in products such as Coca-Cola diet sodas and some Snapple drinks, is expected to be classified as a potential carcinogen, a cause of cancer in humans by a prominent global health organization. Full Story

Dramatic finding: A widely used artificial sweetener, found in products such as Coca-Cola diet sodas and some Snapple drinks, is expected to be classified as a potential carcinogen, a cause of cancer in humans by a prominent global health organization. Full Story

By COLlive staff

A widely used artificial sweetener, which is found in various products including diet sodas, chewing gum, and certain beverages, is expected to receive a potential carcinogen classification next month from a prominent global health organization.

Among the products that Aspartame are used in: Coca-Cola diet sodas, Mars’ Extra chewing gum and some Snapple drinks, according to the Reuters news agency.

Two sources familiar with the matter reveal that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research division of the World Health Organization (WHO), will categorize aspartame as “potentially carcinogenic to humans” in its upcoming announcement in July.

This decision, based on a comprehensive evaluation of available evidence, will not consider safe consumption levels for individuals.

Separate guidance on safe intake is provided by the WHO’s expert committee on food additives, known as JECFA (the Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization’s Expert Committee on Food Additives), along with assessments from national regulatory bodies.

While the IARC’s purpose is to determine potential hazards, previous similar classifications by the organization have caused consumer concerns, legal actions, and prompted manufacturers to reformulate their products or switch to alternatives. Critics argue that the IARC’s assessments can be perplexing to the general public.

In parallel to the IARC’s evaluation, JECFA is also conducting a review of aspartame usage this year. Their meeting commenced in late June, and their findings will be announced on the same day as the IARC’s decision, which is July 14.

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