Is Aspartame ‘carcinogenic’? Read here to know how harmful it is

With aspartame set to be declared as a possible cancer-causing substance next month by a leading global health body, food companies, retailers and restaurants have started finding alternatives to the most common artificial sweeteners in the world.

The World Health Organisation will list Aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, as a potential carcinogen starting next month. Due to its lack of calories and harsh aftertaste compared to other sugar substitutes, aspartame is used as a sugar substitute in numerous everyday products, not just beverages. Health concerns have been raised by the Reuters report that Aspartame may soon be classified as a carcinogen.

What is a carcinogen?

Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer to humans. There are four levels of carcinogens: carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic and not classifiable. According to the sources, it is likely that Aspartame will be classified as possibly carcinogenic in the third category.

What products contain aspartame?

The low-calorie sugar substitute can be found in many of the soft drinks, gelatine, confectionery products, desserts, and sugar-free cough drops. It is generally used to amplify the flavouring of baked and canned foods, powdered drink mixes, candy and puddings.

Here is the list of products that use aspartame as artificial sweetener

• Diet Coke Coca-Cola
• Extra Sugar-free Mars chewing gum
• Jell-O Sugar-free gelatine dessert mix
• Snapple zero sugar tea and juice drinks
• Sugar Twin 1 sweetener packets
• Equal zero calorie sweeteners
• Trident sugar-free peppermint gums