Petition launched to ban aspartame in Europe
On World Cancer Day, Yuka, the French League Against Cancer, and the NGO foodwatch have initiated a petition directed at the European Commission and member states, advocating for a ban on aspartame (E951), a sweetener identified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2023. The petition has been launched across 11 European countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Switzerland) in response to growing health concerns surrounding this additive.
Aspartame is commonly found in over 2 500 light or sugar-free products throughout Europe, such as soft drinks, desserts, sweets, dairy products, chewing gum, energy-reduced and weight control products, and as a table-top sweetener.. A recent YouGov survey commissioned by foodwatch indicates that approximately 40% of Europeans regularly consume products containing aspartame.
The petitioners highlight that, over the last 40 years, numerous scientific studies have associated exposure to aspartame to various health disorders, including increased risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and more recently, impacts on the microbiome.
While IARC’s classification of aspartame as a possible carcinogen (category B2) does not establish a direct causal link with cancer, the classification suggests that the sweetener could potentially pose health risks. The petition advocates for the precautionary principle, a key aspect of European regulation, which calls for preventive measures in the face of uncertainty regarding health risks.
Foodwatch, Yuka, and the French League Against Cancer are calling for urgent action, highlighting that the last evaluation of aspartame by EFSA took place in 2013 amid controversy over the exclusion of significant independent studies. In a recent letter to foodwatch, EFSA stated it does not plan to reassess aspartame but will consider recent scientific developments in its review of aspartame-acesulfame (E962), potentially leading to a revised ADI if strong evidence emerges. The organizations are urging authorities to expedite this evaluation and incorporate all relevant independent research on both aspartame and its salt. Meanwhile, until a comprehensive review is conducted, they continue to advocate for a precautionary ban on aspartame across Europe.
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