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We welcome these new evaluations by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization on the health effects of the artificial sweetener, aspartame. The evidence reviewed led to the classification of aspartame as ‘possibly carcinogenic’, but also confirmed that the current recommended acceptable daily intake of aspartame will not change.

Our cancer prevention recommendation to limit consumption of sugar sweetened drinks, and to drink mostly water and unsweetened drinks, is consistent and remains appropriate in light of these evaluations. Following this, along with our other Recommendations, will give people the best chance of avoiding a preventable cancer.

We will continue to advocate for better research in these areas, in order to strengthen our understanding of how diet, nutrition, physical activity and body weight influence cancer risk.

We support the recommendations that future research should focus on well-conducted studies to better understand the relationship between aspartame and cancer risk and for more mechanistic studies to explore potential biological pathways.

> Read our Q&A on aspartame

> Our current recommendation about sugar-sweetened drinks