Despite an offshoot of the World Health Organization saying there is a "possible" link between aspartame and cancer, the recommended daily limit remains unchanged, says Sky's Thomas Moore.<br /><br />Thomas Moore<br />Science correspondent @SkyNewsThomas<br /><br />Has one of the world's most widely used artificial sweeteners just gone sour?<br /><br />Aspartame, which is found in some of the biggest brands of low-calorie food and drink, has been classed as a possible cancer risk.<br /><br />The health warning will no doubt cause a bit of a stir, particularly as it comes from an offshoot of the World Health Organization.<br /><br />Diet Coke, Muller Light yoghurts, Wrigley's Extra chewing gum and many more everyday items are affected.<br /><br />So how concerned should you be? First, it's worth understanding what's happened.<br /><br />The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) divides substances into three categories of hazard that matter here. So far it has assessed about 1,000 of them - and the classification reflects the strength of the scientific evidence.<br /><br />At the top, in class 1, are things known to cause cancer, including tobacco and alcohol.<br /><br />Then there's class 2A, with chemicals and substances that have a "probable" link, such as red meat.<br /><br />And finally class 2B, with the "possible" link. Here, aspartame is now listed alongside aloe vera and pickled vegetables.<br /><br />So that puts the sweetener in the lowest category of hazard.<br /><br />It reflects the rather weak evidence of a link.<br /><br />The limited human research either shows no increased risk from consuming aspartame, or a weak association - though in these studies the IARC can't rule out lifestyle, diet or underlying health issues affecting the results.<br /><br />At the same time as the IARC's assessment, another safety body called JECFA (which reports to the UN) has looked at the risk of consuming aspartame as a food additive.<br /><br />They set the acceptable daily intake for aspartame at 40mg per kilogram of bodyweight back in 1981.<br /><br />After a fresh review they've left the recommended limit unchanged. That's reassuring.<br /><br />A 70kg adult would reach the limit by drinking the equivalent of roughly 14 cans of Diet Coke a day.<br /><br />An average 10-year-old weighing 32kg could safely consume just over six cans in a day.<br /><br />Most people will be well within those limits, and have nothing to worry about.<br /><br />Children are perhaps more likely to exceed the limit because of their smaller body size.<br /><br />But it's hard to see big brands changing their formulations based on weak evidence of risk.<br /><br />So if you are worried about your or your child's aspartame intake then switching from fizzy drinks to water is about all you can do - not easy once you have a sweet tooth.<br /><br />
