An ingredient found in artifically sweeted foods and beverages is now causing concern as a possible carcinogen.
Aspartame, a commonly used artificial sweetener, is expected to be declared a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
This sweetener is heavily used in products like diet sodas and powdered drink mixes.
It is also used to enhance the flavouring of baked and canned foods, chewing gum, cough drops, candy, desserts, and puddings.
It is around 200x sweeter than table sugar and has a low caloric content, making it a popular choice for those seeking to reduce their sugar intake.
Over the years, aspartame has been the subject of various safety concerns; but it's listing as a carcinogen would be the first time it receives such classification.
The new study was conducted due to the availability of new research results by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO's cancer research arm).
The International Sweeteners Association, which includes Wrigley, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola, has raised serious concerns about the IARC's speculation.
The IARC will evaluate the carcinogenicity, while the JECFA (Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives) will assess its safety and determine the acceptable daily intake
The results of the evaluation will be released on July 14.