World Health Organization researchers have raised alarm over aspartame, saying there is little evidence it causes liver cancer in humans. IARC classifies substances based on their potential harm to people; full evaluation of aspartame should take place within six months.
IARC’s report cited studies which reported an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among regular diet soda drinkers, though chance, bias or confounding by other dietary factors cannot be completely excluded from these studies, according to their expert panel review of existing studies. These reports were issued this week as a result of these reviews and expert opinions.
Francesco Branca, who led IARC’s aspartame assessment, stated that current evidence did not warrant a reevaluation of aspartame’s safety at its current accepted daily intake level of 40 milligrams per kilogram. Both FDA, Canada and European regulators had already assessed aspartame safety at its present permitted levels and have confirmed its safety at that level of consumption.
Some critics, such as an executive from Calorie Control Council, criticized IARC’s decision as misleading, inaccurate and fearmongering; however, this does not represent health guidance; rather IARC merely assesses whether something has the potential to cause cancer in humans. A separate WHO committee known as Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) reviews food safety issues such as aspartame consumption with an acceptable daily intake (ADI), which recently reconfirmed that aspartame is safe at its currently allowed levels.
