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Aspartame Controversy

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What’s the issue?

On July 26, 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared aspartame a potential carcinogen based on a hazard evaluation with the mention that more research is needed to understand the health impacts. Another WHO agency named the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) focused on risk assessment considering exposure, and concluded that ‘there was no convincing evidence from experimental animal or human data that aspartame has adverse effects after ingestion.’ (WHO/JECFA) JECFA and Health Canada state the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame as  0–40 mg/kg body weight. According to Francesco Branca, WHO’s director of nutrition and food safety, the ‘safe’ limit is roughly equivalent to nine to 14 cans of soda a day for an average-sized adult and the “occasional consumption of aspartame is probably not going to be associated with a health risk for most individuals.” Reactions to WHO’s reports have been mixed, with some experts saying that aspartame is largely safe while others argue there are still potential concerns about its health risks and that more research is needed.

Here are some news clips with credible spokespersons for deeper insights into the issues:

Now what?

Health Canada’s online statement on Aspartame says that ‘there is no evidence to suggest that the consumption of foods containing this sweetener, according to the provisions of the Food and Drug Regulations and as part of a well-balanced diet, would pose a health risk to consumers.  Health Canada is also reviewing the summary assessments by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and JECFA published on July 13, 2023, and will review the full reports for each assessment once they are released. The department will determine whether action on aspartame is needed to protect Canadians, taking into consideration the scientific details from the full reports and information specific to the Canadian context for aspartame. Action Health Canada could take, if necessary, includes reducing one or more maximum levels of use for aspartame, further restricting which foods it may be used in, or no longer permitting it to be used as a food additive.’ (Health Canada/Aspartame July 25, 2023)

Although food makers and regulators can show science on aspartame containing products as safe and demonstrate how they can be part of a balanced diet, consumers are hearing more in the media about aspartame being a potential carcinogen. This makes many people wonder about why eat foods/drink beverages that contain aspartame and start looking for alternative options. In my practice I see clients reading ingredients list more often than before to identify what’s in the foods they purchase. The opportunity for food makers is to better understand people’s perceptions, provide credible information and offer choices that meet their needs and preferences.

Please reach out to us for more information about translating the science to unlock food’s potential to support healthy living.

Saturated Fats and Processed Meats – Fact, Fiction or Controversy?

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WHO bacon headline

Nutrition headlines never cease to draw interest and boost readership. After all, we are all food consumers and want to know what’s hot and what’s not. Read on for our commentary of the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s new advice for healthy eating and saturated fat, and the World Health Organization’s hot off the press research release on processed meat.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal questions the effect of saturated fat on heart disease. The study also showed that there is a clear relationship between trans fats and heart health problems. Although more work needs to be done, what we see is that saturated fats (which are found naturally in red meat, dairy products and certain vegetable oils) may not be as bad for heart health as we thought. However, trans fats, which are often found in processed or fried foods should be limited in the diet.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada suggests that if you eat a “balanced diet you don’t have to worry as much about intake of saturated fat.” The Foundation also issued a statement “advocating for moderation and choosing whole foods instead of processed ones.”

Another statement recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO) points to processed and red meat consumption as a risk factor for cancer. The WHO media release states: “The experts concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%”. While these numbers sound dramatic, food and nutrition experts caution that they need to be taken in context.

As registered dietitians we closely follow the research, the evidence and the headlines and will elaborate on the key issues in our future programs and newsletters. For now we recommend you consider the big picture of an overall healthy dietary pattern with our top 3 tips below:

  1. Vary your daily protein choices.
  2. Include lean meats, poultry and fish (in smaller amounts) along with plant based meat alternatives such as beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
  3. Dietitians of Canada recommends limiting processed meat consumption, in part due to the association with cancer risk as well as the high levels of sodium in these meats.