JECFA, the WHO committee on additives, is also reviewing aspartame use this year. It has four different levels of classification – carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic and not classifiable. Pepsico removed aspartame from sodas in 2015, bringing it back a year later, only to remove it again in 2020. Listing aspartame as a possible carcinogen is intended to motivate more research, said the sources close to the IARC, which will help agencies, consumers and manufacturers draw firmer conclusions. The guidelines caused a furore in the food industry, which argues they can be helpful for consumers wanting to reduce the amount of sugar in their diet.

Source: The Star June 30, 2023 04:46 UTC