Safety of Aspartame Questioned by WHO. Here’s a List of Popular Foods and Beverages containing the Sweetener
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has gained popularity as a sugar substitute in various food products. It is a compound called methyl ester and is approximately 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. Since its introduction in 1981, aspartame has become a key ingredient in foods and beverages across North America, Asia, and Europe.
Despite its widespread use, concerns have been raised about the safety of aspartame. The cancer research arm of the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is set to release its findings on aspartame’s potential carcinogenic effect on humans. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aspartame for use in food products, questions about its long-term safety remain, as noted in a 2021 research paper published in the journal Nutrients.
Aspartame is commonly found in zero-sugar or diet sodas, sugar-free gums, diet drink mixes, reduced-sugar condiments, sugar-free gelatin, and tabletop sweeteners. However, it is important for consumers to check individual product ingredient lists for accurate information on whether or not it contains aspartame.
While some studies have deemed aspartame safe in moderation, others have linked its consumption to cancer. Additionally, studies have shown that aspartame may cause headaches, seizures, and depression. The FDA and American Cancer Society still consider aspartame safe for human consumption, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s upcoming findings have raised concerns.
It is worth noting that according to the FDA’s acceptable daily limit for artificial sweeteners, consuming severe negative health consequences from aspartame would require ingesting an amount far exceeding normal consumption levels.
Here are some common foods and beverages that contain aspartame:
- Zero-sugar or diet sodas, including Diet Coke
- Sugar-free gums, such as Trident gum
- Diet drink mixes, including Crystal Light
- Reduced-sugar condiments, such as Log Cabin Sugar Free Syrup
- Sugar-free gelatin like Sugar-free Jell-O
- Tabletop sweeteners sold under brand names including Equal and Nutrasweet
Neither Coca-Cola, maker of Diet Coke, nor other manufacturers of foods containing aspartame immediately returned requests for comment.
To be sure, specific sweeteners used in low-sugar products vary, and companies sometimes change ingredients. To get the most accurate information, consumers should check the ingredient lists on individual products to confirm whether or not it contains aspartame.
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