WHO Says Aspartame is a 'Possible Carcinogen'

A committee of 25 international experts has determined that aspartame may "possibly" cause cancer in people, according to a report released Thursday by the World Health Organization. But the U.S. FDA says it disagrees with this new classification, pointing to evidence of safety. In a written statement, an FDA official told NPR that aspartame being labeled by the WHO "as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' does not mean that aspartame is actually linked to cancer." While the WHO is not changing the acceptable daily intake, Branca says "we're just advising for a bit of moderation."