FDA disagrees with WHO’s claim on aspartame being a carcinogen

The WHO in a recently released report stated that aspartame could possibly be cancer causing, the FDA, however, seemed to disagree asking for evidence.

According to a report released on Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO), aspartame may "possibly" cause cancer in humans, according to a committee of 25 international experts.

The suggested daily intake limit for the artificial sweetener remains unchanged in light of this new classification, which is based on a review of "limited evidence."

However, citing safety data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asserts that it disagrees with this new classification. According to a written statement provided to NPR by an FDA official, the WHO's classification of aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" does not necessarily imply that aspartame causes cancer.

The appropriate daily intake, or ADI, of aspartame has long been capped at 40 milligrams per kilogram of total body weight per day by the WHO. A person that weighs approximately 60 kilograms would be able to consume around 2,400 milligrams on a daily basis that equals to 12 can of diet coke, which most people do not do.  

The acceptable daily intake is not being changed, according to the WHO.

Based on an analysis of numerous studies that used consumption of artificially sweetened beverages as a proxy for aspartame exposure, the agency concluded that there is "limited" evidence that aspartame may cause liver cancer. It also examined the data from a sizable French study, the NutriNet-Santé study, which was published in 2022 and found that aspartame consumption was associated with a 15% increased risk of cancer, including cancers linked to obesity.

Since cancer can take years to develop after exposure to carcinogens, researchers have called for more long-term studies.