"Aspartame may be classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer."

Aspartame, one of the most common artificial sweeteners in the world, may be declared a possible carcinogen next month by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), according to information from two sources familiar with the process. This sweetener is used in products ranging from diet sodas like Coca-Cola to Mars' Extra chewing gum and some Snapple drinks, as reported by Reuters agency.

However, the IARC bases its decision solely on potential hazard based on all published data and does not consider the safe use of the product by humans. Recommendations on this matter are provided by the WHO's Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and national regulators.

There is concern that conducting both processes simultaneously may cause confusion, as indicated in letters from American and Japanese regulators. It is noted that JECFA is also currently reviewing the use of aspartame. The results from both committees are expected to be published on July 14.

IARC decisions can have significant impacts. In 2015, the committee concluded that glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic," leading to lawsuits and issues for companies using the substance, even after this claim was denied by other organizations like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

However, IARC decisions are often criticized for causing unjustified concern regarding substances or situations that are difficult to avoid. The organization previously classified shift work involving circadian disruption, consumption of red meat, and the use of mobile phones as "likely carcinogenic." In this case, aspartame will be classified as "possibly carcinogenic."

According to Francis Hunt-Wood, secretary general of the International Sweeteners Association, IARC is not a food safety authority, and their review of aspartame is "not comprehensive and largely based on research that has been refuted."

The decision to classify aspartame as a possible carcinogen, according to sources close to IARC, aims to stimulate further research that will help regulatory bodies, consumers, and producers make more informed conclusions.

However, this is also likely to reignite discussions about the role of IARC and the safety of sweeteners in general.

Last month, WHO released guidelines recommending consumers not to use unnecessary sweeteners for weight control. This guidance sparked disapproval in the food industry, which claims that they can be beneficial for consumers seeking to reduce sugar intake in their diet.