Title: Aspartame Deemed “Possible Carcinogen” by WHO-Linked Groups but Remains Safe to Consume
Date: July 13, 20XX
London, July 13 (Reuters) – The sweetener aspartame has been classified as a “possible carcinogen” by two groups linked to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday. However, it has been emphasized that the additive remains safe for consumption within the agreed levels.
Two separate expert panels associated with the WHO were involved in reviewing the safety of aspartame. The first panel determined whether there was evidence to suggest that the substance posed a potential hazard, while the second assessed the actual risk it posed in real-life situations.
Aspartame is widely used as a sweetener in various products, including Coca-Cola diet sodas and Mars’ Extra chewing gum.
In a press conference prior to the announcement, Francesco Branca, the WHO’s head of nutrition, urged consumers to consider a third option of drinking water instead of choosing between beverages with either aspartame or sugar.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) based in Lyon, France, declared aspartame a “possible carcinogen” in its first statement on the additive. This classification indicates that there is limited evidence to suggest that a substance can cause cancer. However, it does not account for the level of consumption required to pose a risk, which is evaluated by another panel, the WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Joint Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) based in Geneva.
Following its comprehensive review, JECFA stated that it did not find convincing evidence of harm caused by aspartame and recommended that individuals keep their consumption levels below 40mg/kg per day. Regulators worldwide have similar guidelines in place.
Several independent scientists have commented on the weak evidence linking aspartame to cancer. Food and beverage industry associations have welcomed the rulings, asserting that they confirm the safety of aspartame as a suitable option for individuals seeking to reduce sugar intake.
Notably, the WHO stated that existing consumption levels imply that consuming more than 9-14 cans of soda daily would be necessary to exceed the recommended limit for an average-weight person. This level of consumption is around 10 times higher than what most individuals typically consume.
The IARC panel’s decision to classify aspartame as a “possible carcinogen” relied on three studies conducted in the United States and Europe, which indicated a connection between the consumption of the sweetener and hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer. Limited evidence from earlier animal studies and certain chemical properties associated with cancer were also considered by the panel.
Mary Schubauer-Berigan, acting head of the IARC Monographs program, clarified that the declaration aimed to encourage further research into the potential carcinogenic hazard of aspartame consumption.
Scientists unaffiliated with the WHO reviews have suggested that the evidence suggesting aspartame causes cancer is weak. They argue that the classification as a “possible carcinogen” in Group 2B is a conservative one, where even flawed evidence can place a chemical in that category or higher.
Doctors have expressed concern that the new classification may lead consumers of diet soda to switch to sugar-sweetened beverages, which could contribute to weight gain and obesity, posing a greater risk factor than aspartame.
Industry associations, including the International Council of Beverage Associations and the International Sweeteners Association, have reiterated their belief in the safety of aspartame, emphasizing its role in reducing sugar intake.
In conclusion, the WHO-linked groups have deemed aspartame a “possible carcinogen,” but stress that it remains safe at current consumption levels. The debate surrounding the potential health risks of aspartame continues, prompting calls for further research into its potential carcinogenic properties.
(Note: This article is a work of fiction and has been created by OpenAI Language Model ‘GPT-3’)