Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1421. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health what plans his Department has to respond to the WHO classification of aspartame as a possible cancer cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37162/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been aware of the work of the World Health Organisation (WHO) with regard to the classification of aspartame and has been liaising with the competent authority for food safety, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
There were two evaluations. The first was by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the WHO. The second was by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Additives (JECFA). The IARC assessed the strength of evidence that aspartame could cause cancer in humans. The JECFA assessed the risks to the public from the use of aspartame in food. The JECFA risk assessment includes a review of the acceptable daily intake and evaluation of the dietary exposure to aspartame from food.
Citing “limited evidence” for carcinogenicity in humans, the IARC classified aspartame as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’. The JECFA concluded that there was no convincing evidence from experimental data that aspartame has adverse effects after ingestion. The JECFA reaffirmed its previous position on acceptable daily intake. The sequence of these evaluations, and the close collaboration between the IARC and the JECFA secretariats, permitted a comprehensive evaluation of the health effects of aspartame consumption, based on the latest available scientific evidence.
The findings of the JECFA are in line with the conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) latest assessment on aspartame in 2013. Aspartame has also been evaluated by numerous scientific committees internationally over many years and has been found to be safe. It is authorised for human consumption in many countries following thorough safety assessments.
Prior to their authorisation at EU level, all additives must undergo a rigorous safety assessment, and this has been no different for aspartame which is considered safe at current recommended acceptable daily intake levels.
It is a priority for my Department, and for the FSAI to ensure that food is safe and consumers are protected. Along with our EU partners we will continue to assess the IARC and the JECFA evaluations of aspartame to ensure food safety.
As with all advice in terms of healthy eating, we would advise moderation when consuming sugar and/or artificial sweeteners. We would also continue to encourage a healthy balanced diet, in line with healthy eating guidelines.
