A coalition including Foodwatch, Yuka, and the League Against Cancer launched a petition on February 4, 2025, urging the European Commission to ban aspartame, a sweetener deemed “possibly carcinogenic” by the IARC. Despite its presence in around 2,500 products, health authorities claim it’s safe within limits. Critics highlight health risks and ineffectiveness in weight management. Consumers are advised to check for the code “E 951” to avoid aspartame while alternatives exist.
Petition Against Aspartame: A Call for Action
On February 4, 2025, a significant movement was initiated by Foodwatch, Yuka, and the League Against Cancer, targeting the controversial sweetener aspartame. This ingredient, commonly found in a variety of food items and sugar-free beverages, has sparked debates over the years. Following the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) classification of aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” in July 2023, no regulatory changes have occurred, prompting these organizations to take a stand.
“Nothing has progressed since then. Scientists continue to raise alarms, yet neither Europe nor France is taking action,” expressed Camille Dorioz from Foodwatch. This lack of response has led the petitioners to demand that the European Commission and EU member states eliminate this additive from the food supply.
A Widespread Sweetener: The Dangers of Aspartame
The Yuka app, known for analyzing food product ingredients, has discovered that nearly 2,500 items on the European market contain aspartame. “It’s surprising to see it in products like flavored chips,” stated Zoé Kerlo, a toxicologist associated with Yuka. Beyond sodas, this sweetener lurks in energy drinks, yogurts, skyr, chewing gums, toothpaste, and even select medications. Laurent Chevallier, a nutritionist, emphasizes the need to “protect pregnant women and young children” from the uncertainties linked to this additive. “We have long harbored doubts about aspartame, and increasing studies are corroborating these concerns,” he added.
While aspartame is under scrutiny, research findings are not universally agreed upon. A study conducted by Inserm and Inrae between 2009 and 2021, which examined over 100,000 adults, revealed an elevated cancer risk among heavy consumers of sweeteners, specifically aspartame and acesulfame-K. In spite of this, European health authorities like EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) maintain that aspartame, when consumed within approved limits, is not significantly hazardous. “There is no justification for banning aspartame,” stated Professor Jean-Michel Lecerf, a former head of the nutrition department at the Pasteur Institute in Lille. He believes the real issue lies in the sweetener’s actual efficacy.
In addition to health concerns, aspartame faces criticism for its ineffectiveness. The WHO has noted that “substituting free sugars with non-sugar artificial sweeteners does not aid in long-term weight management, nor does it decrease the risk of weight-related illnesses.” “The product poses risks and fails to deliver on its promises. Under these circumstances, it should be prohibited!” asserts Camille Dorioz.
While awaiting regulatory responses, consumers can proactively avoid aspartame by checking for the code “E 951” on product labels. Alternatives like sucralose or stevia are available, though the latter can sometimes alter flavor profiles. In 2015, PepsiCo removed aspartame from its sodas in the U.S., only to reverse that decision later. The question remains: will the petition initiated on February 4 lead to a definitive ban in Europe?