The World Health Organization has declared the artificial sweetener 'Aspartame' as a possible carcinogenic substance
The world's most common artificial sweetener, aspartame, has recently been declared a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO). This month it can be included in the cancer factor list.
Aspartame is used as a sweetener in a wide range of beverage products. It can be found in diet soda, sugar-free chewing gum, yogurt, tabletop sweeteners, low-calorie desserts, sugar-free cough medicines, and many other processed foods labeled as 'sugar-free' or 'diet'.
Aspartame was first approved for use as a food additive in the United States in 1981 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Aspartame
Is an artificial sweetener used as a substitute for sugar in various food and beverage products? It is formed by a combination of two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Other artificial sweeteners are sucralose, saccharin, xylitol, and stevia.
IARC
It was created in 1965 by a resolution of the World Health Assembly as the WHO's specialized agency for cancer. IARC aims to promote international cooperation in cancer research. Presently there are 27 member countries.
