LONDON - A widely used artificial sweetener, aspartame, is expected to be classified as a potential carcinogen next month by a prominent global health organization. Sources familiar with the matter reveal that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), will list aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." This development puts the sweetener in opposition to both the food industry and regulators. Aspartame is commonly found in various products such as diet sodas, chewing gum, and certain beverages.

The recent ruling by the IARC, following a meeting of external experts, aims to evaluate the potential hazard of a substance based on existing published evidence, rather than considering safe consumption levels. Individual consumption guidelines are provided separately by the WHO's expert committee on food additives, known as JECFA, in conjunction with national regulators.

While past IARC rulings have sparked concerns, legal actions, and prompted manufacturers to seek alternatives, critics argue that these assessments can be perplexing to the general public. Additionally, JECFA is currently conducting its own review of aspartame use, with its findings scheduled to be announced on July 14, the same day as the IARC's decision.

Since 1981, JECFA has consistently stated that aspartame is safe for consumption within specified daily limits. For instance, an adult weighing 60 kg (132 pounds) would need to consume between 12 and 36 cans of diet soda per day, depending on the amount of aspartame in each beverage, to pose a risk. This viewpoint has been widely endorsed by national regulators, including those in the United States and Europe.

An IARC spokesperson noted that the findings of both the IARC and JECFA committees are confidential until July. However, they emphasized that these assessments are complementary, with the IARC's conclusion representing the initial step in understanding the potential carcinogenicity of a substance. The JECFA committee, on the other hand, focuses on conducting risk assessments to determine the likelihood of specific harm, such as cancer, occurring under certain conditions and levels of exposure.

Nevertheless, industry and regulatory bodies have expressed concerns about the simultaneous timing of both processes, as detailed in letters from U.S. and Japanese regulators reviewed by Reuters.

Aspartame, a common artificial sweetener found in various food and beverage products, is set to be classified as a "possible carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The IARC's ruling is based on published evidence and aims to identify potential hazards.

However, it does not consider safe consumption levels. The safety of aspartame has been supported by the Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization's Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and national regulators. The simultaneous evaluations by the IARC and JECFA have raised concerns about confusion.

Previous IARC rulings have had significant impacts, but criticism has been directed at their assessments. Aspartame has been extensively studied, with mixed findings. Regulators globally have authorized its use based on the available evidence. The IARC's classification of aspartame as a possible carcinogen will stimulate further research and spark debates on sweetener safety. This information sheds light on the ongoing discussion and potential implications of the IARC's decision.