European Petition Launched to Ban Aspartame Over Health Concerns

Foodwatch, the Ligue contre le cancer, and Yuka urge EU action on the controversial sweetener classified as a possible carcinogen by the WHO.

Foodwatch, the Ligue contre le cancer, and Yuka have initiated a petition across 11 European countries advocating for the ban of aspartame, citing health risks.
The World Health Organization classified aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' in 2023, raising concerns about its safety in food and beverages.
Aspartame is present in over 6,000 products, including diet sodas, sugar-free yogurts, and chewing gum, and has been authorized for use in France since 1988.
Critics argue that industry-funded studies have influenced the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) 2013 evaluation, which did not challenge aspartame's approval.
The petition follows previous campaigns by the same groups, such as their 2019 effort targeting nitrites in food, which led to changes by some manufacturers.