Overview

• Foodwatch, the Ligue contre le cancer, and the Yuka app have launched a European petition demanding the prohibition of aspartame, which is present in over 6,000 products.
• The petition follows the 2023 classification by the WHO's cancer research arm labeling aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans,' though evidence remains limited and inconclusive.
• Scientific reviews, including those by the WHO and EFSA, have consistently found no significant health risks when aspartame is consumed within established daily limits.
• Critics argue that the campaign exaggerates risks, distracting from more pressing public health issues like obesity, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.
• Concerns over potential industry influence on studies supporting aspartame's safety have been raised, with advocates calling for stricter regulatory scrutiny.