WHO warns of cancer risk from soft drinks, toothpastes, others
Story by Vivian Daniel
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about the potential cancer risk posed by artificial sweeteners found in various popular products such as soft drinks, chewing gums, and low-calorie foods.
The global agency has reclassified as part of me as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” following a comprehensive review of 1,300 studies on artificial sugar replacements.
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Brands affected by this reclassification include Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Fanta, extra chewing gum, Muller Light yogurts, certain toothpastes, dessert mixes, and sugar-free cough drops.
This announcement has caused concern within the food manufacturing industry, as artificial sweeteners have been widely used as a substitute for sugar.
While experts have criticized the classification system used by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Cancer Research UK has explicitly stated that artificial sweeteners like aspartame do not cause cancer.
Despite differing opinions, the IARC’s review is being regarded as a significant development in understanding the potential health risks associated with these products.
