It’s official – sweetener in Diet Coke and chewing gum IS a cancer risk, say WHO

A COMMON sweetener used in Diet Coke is linked to cancer, the World Health Organization today confirmed.

Aspartame, which is also found in chewing gums and yoghurts, is “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, officials said.

Dr Mary Schubauer-Berigan, of the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), said there is “limited evidence” but the chemical has the potential to cause liver cancer.

Dr Francesco Branca, of the WHO’s Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, encouraged people to limit sweetened products if possible.

He said: “If consumers are faced with a decision of whether to take cola with sweeteners or with sugar, I think there should be a third option considered, which is to drink water instead.

“There are alternatives that do not contain either free sugars or sweeteners and those should be the products that should be preferred by consumers.”

It comes after the WHO issued guidelines advising people not to drink sugar-free sweeteners to lose weight in May.

The chemicals may also increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, the international agency said.

The WHO’s latest findings are based on three studies that suggest aspartame is associated with liver cancer.

The IARC classified the chemical in Group 2B for cancer hazards, which also includes aloe vera and caffeic acid, found in tea and coffee.

A separate report from the organisation’s Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) ruled existing daily limits on aspartame are safe.

These are around 40mg per kg of body weight — between nine and 14 cans — per day.

It means that if you weigh 11st (70kg), you can safely consume up to 14 cans of Diet Coke daily.

Independent experts said this doesn’t mean people should aim to drink that amount, as it can cause other problems like teeth erosion.

Dr Duane Mellor, of Aston University, said: “To be clear this is not a recommendation to consume.

“High intakes of any soft drinks, including diet versions containing sweeteners is likely to lead to less healthy foods being consumed.”

Following the confirmation from WHO, health experts urged people not to worry or make any drastic changes to their consumption.

Cancer Research UK said: "There is no need to panic."

Dr Claire Knight, senior health information manager, added: "The decision puts aspartame in the same category as things like aloe vera and bracken ferns.

"There is no convincing evidence that it causes cancer in humans, and people shouldn’t be worried about getting cancer from aspartame in food and drink.

"Your overall diet is more important than individual foods or ingredients for reducing cancer risk.

"So, aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet, with more fruit, veg and wholegrains, and cut back on red and processed meats and foods high in fat, sugar and salt."