Aspartame

Aspartame is an artificial, low-calorie sweetener. It is made by combining two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which are naturally found in protein-rich foods.

Manufacturers add aspartame to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without the calories of sugar. It is commonly found in diet sodas, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie desserts, and powdered drink mixes.

The FDA has approved aspartame as a food additive. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have evaluated aspartame and set an acceptable daily intake. In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), while JECFA maintained its existing acceptable daily intake, stating that the evidence for a link to cancer in humans is not convincing. Aspartame is considered safe for most people at typical intake levels, but individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it due to its phenylalanine content.