"Concerns over Aspartame: Potential Cancer Risk in Diet Sodas and Chewing Gum"

Aspartame, a common artificial sweetener found in products like Coca-Cola diet sodas and Mars' Extra gum, is set to be declared a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO). The IARC ruling, expected to be announced in July, has raised concerns among industry and regulators about potential confusion and alarm among the public. Aspartame has been extensively studied, and while some studies have shown a slight increase in cancer risk, regulatory bodies have deemed it safe for consumption within accepted limits. The listing as a possible carcinogen is intended to stimulate further research and draw firmer conclusions, but it is likely to ignite debate over the IARC's role and the safety of sweeteners.