WHO conclusion enhances safety confidence, International Beverage Association: The harm of aspartame is not greater than that of aloe vera. | Food | Conclusion
After the World Health Organization announced the classification of aspartame as a Class 2B carcinogen, multiple institutions such as the International Beverage Association Council and the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Agency have spoken out.
On July 14th local time, the official website of the International Beverage Association Council issued a statement, stating that the findings of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization are milestone findings, and that the findings have been rigorously reviewed, further enhancing people's confidence in the safety of aspartame, and will play an important role in all choices for consumers to consider reducing sugar and calories in their diet.
On July 14th, the official website of the World Health Organization announced that the Joint Expert Committee of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization on Food Additives has released an assessment report on the health effects of aspartame. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has cited "limited evidence" of human carcinogenicity and classified aspartame as a Class 2B carcinogen. The Joint Expert Committee has reiterated its daily allowable intake of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
IARC is conducting hazard identification research on aspartame, which is the first fundamental step in understanding the carcinogenicity of substances. The task of cancer risk assessment is completed by JECFA, which determines the likelihood of specific types of harm occurring under specific conditions and exposure levels. The work of the two institutions is independent and complementary.
Regarding the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the ICBA stated that although the views disclosed by IARC may lead to alarmist speculation or unnecessary consumer panic, IARC has listened to the opinions of the Joint Expert Committee of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. As a globally authoritative body suitable for comprehensive assessment of the safety of aspartame intake, the committee has once again determined the safety of aspartame.
The ICBA also emphasized that IARC is not a food safety agency, and it now officially acknowledges that the harm caused by aspartame is not greater than that of aloe vera and hundreds of other substances, all of which fall under the classification of "limited" and "incomplete" evidence according to IARC.
After the World Health Organization announced the above news, the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Agency also issued a statement on the safety of aspartame, emphasizing that JECFA's assessment found that the daily allowable intake of aspartame in food and beverages is currently appropriate. "This is good news for consumers in Australia and New Zealand, and they can rest assured that our aspartame food standards are consistent with international standards."
It is worth mentioning that, according to Reuters on July 13th, before the World Health Organization announced its conclusion on aspartame, PepsiCo's CFO Hugh Johnston stated that PepsiCo does not intend to change its product portfolio.