Report: WHO to Declare Aspartame a Potential Carcinogen

Image copyright: Unsplash

The Spin

Narrative A

The artificial sweetener has been followed by controversy ever since the early 2000s when an Italian study reported an increase in cancer in mice and rats. Listing aspartame as a possible carcinogen is intended to motivate more research. The food and beverage industry should not be afraid of more scrutiny and a chance to further vindicate the safety of their products.

Narrative B

Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly researched ingredients in history. Over 90 food safety agencies across the globe have declared it is safe. Also, the IARC classification of "possibly carcinogenic" — applied as a measure of evidence, not risk — is slapped on everything from diesel gas to aloe vera. The media is once again running away with a sensationalist health story.


Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!