Aspartame

How we reached this

Synthetic dipeptide sweetener, ~200× sucrose. Three authorities disagree and all three are reported: IARC classified it Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans', in July 2023, on limited evidence for hepatocellular carcinoma; JECFA (FAO/WHO) reviewed the same evidence simultaneously and REAFFIRMED the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight; FDA disagreed with IARC's conclusion and maintains its own approval. Held at 4 for that unresolved disagreement, not for demonstrated harm. Separately and non-negotiably: products containing it must carry a phenylketonurics warning, because people with PKU cannot metabolise phenylalanine.

Sources · 3

• IARC/WHO — Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released (July 2023)https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2023-aspartame-hazard-and-risk-assessment-results-released
• FDA — Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Foodhttps://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food
• FDA — Aspartame, 21 CFR 172.804 (phenylketonurics labelling)https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-172/subpart-I/section-172.804

Regulatory position

Also listed as

Products containing this · 6

• 6Diet CokeFood
• 6Coca-Cola Zero SugarFood
• 6Coke ZeroFood
• 4Spearmint Sugarfree GumFood
• 4Robinsons Orange SquashFood
• 4Mini-Mini ChiclesFood