Despite Aspartame Warning, Beverage Companies Likely to Stick With It

A public health organization cautioned that the synthetic sugar substitute might have carcinogenic properties, but some argue that the potential danger is exaggerated and people enthusiastically embrace its flavor.

On the afternoon of July 14, 2023, at 5:18 p.m. Eastern Time.

Approximately eight years ago, due to customer worries regarding potential health hazards linked to the man-made sweetener aspartame, PepsiCo made the decision to eliminate said component from their widely consumed diet soda.

Sales were disappointing. In the following year, Diet Pepsi reintroduced aspartame.

Nowadays, the primary three components mentioned in the minuscule text on the reverse of Diet Pepsi cans and bottles, as well as its rival Diet Coke, are H2O, caramel coloring, and aspartame.

When you take a stroll down the aisles of the supermarket, you will come across the component listed on the packaging of not just low-calorie carbonated beverages, but also low-calorie teas, gum with no sugar, energy drinks with no sugar, and powdered mix for low-calorie lemonade. Some approximations suggest that aspartame can be found in countless products.

The employment of aspartame, frequently recognized as Equal, in comestibles and refreshments has been intensely examined for a considerable amount of time. The most recent development unfolded on Thursday, with a branch of the World Health Organization asserting that aspartame potentially has the ability to induce cancer. They advocated individuals who consume a notable quantity of beverages containing aspartame to swap to water or alternative unsweetened beverages.

However, despite the rise of numerous new artificial sweeteners, including those derived from plants and fruits, the major food corporations persist in using aspartame, and experts anticipate that this trend will continue. This is primarily because aspartame is one of the most affordable substitutes for sugar, it is particularly effective in beverages and blends, and consumers are fond of its taste.

The W.H.O.’s announcement also faced opposition regarding its sense of urgency. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration swiftly expressed its disagreement with the conclusions, emphasizing once again its belief that aspartame poses no harm. Another committee within the W.H.O. stated that an individual weighing 150 pounds would have to consume over twelve cans of Diet Coke daily in order to surpass the acceptable limit for the artificial sweetener.

Garrett Nelson, an expert on the beverage industry at CFRA Research, revealed that the major players in the beverage industry have been engaging in preparatory strategies for several months. They have been conducting trials with various sweeteners in order to ensure that the flavor and quality of diet beverages remain closely aligned with their current products. However, Nelson mentioned that these companies are unlikely to alter their recipes unless there is a substantial decline in consumer demand as a result of the W.H.O. report.

"If customers indeed halt their purchases of Diet Coke due to this report and if the sales witness a decline, it may be necessary to consider an alternative strategy," expressed Mr. Nelson.

Coca-Cola redirected inquiries to the American Beverage Association, the group responsible for advocating on behalf of the industry. Kevin Keane, the current leader of the organization, affirmed in a statement that aspartame is considered to be secure.

PepsiCo did not provide answers to inquiries for clarification, but during a conversation with Bloomberg Markets that was broadcasted on Thursday, Hugh F. Johnston, the main financial officer of PepsiCo, expressed his anticipation of minimal impact on consumers.

"I am confident that this will not be a major concern for consumers, considering the overwhelming evidence that supports the safety of aspartame," stated Mr. Johnston.

The evaluation from the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) creates more uncertainty for consumers regarding aspartame, yet it joins a recent surge of studies exploring the possible dangers and doubting the actual advantages of artificial sweeteners. Only a few weeks ago, the W.H.O. discouraged the use of artificial sweeteners for weight management, explaining that a thorough examination of research did not demonstrate any long-term advantages in decreasing body fat for both children and adults. Additionally, the analysis indicated a potential link between these sweeteners and a higher likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular ailments.

Earlier this year, a team of scientists from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill published a study unveiling a discovery regarding the effects of a chemical produced when sucralose, another type of sweetener, is consumed. According to their findings, this chemical has the ability to disintegrate DNA and potentially lead to various health complications.

For a long time, food and drink companies as well as regulators have commonly criticized research that brings up concerns regarding artificial sweeteners. They often claim that the studies were flawed or inconclusive, or that the health risks associated with these sweeteners are insignificant.

According to Robert Rankin, the head of the lobbying group for producers and suppliers of various alternative sweeteners, there is a significant amount of scientific proof indicating that low- and no-calorie sweeteners offer viable and secure alternatives for reducing sugar and calorie intake. Rankin made this statement in an email on Thursday.

Certainly, the majority of food and drink businesses utilizing aspartame display reluctance when it comes to transitioning, primarily due to its cost-effectiveness compared to other options. Additionally, as aspartame is a whopping 200 times sweeter than sugar, even small amounts can go a remarkably long distance.

Glenn Roy, a part-time professor of organic chemistry at Vassar College and an ex-employee of renowned food corporations like NutraSweet, General Foods, and PepsiCo, emphasizes how the long-standing production of aspartame has resulted in remarkable advancements in cost-effectiveness and processing techniques. These improvements have ultimately led to the development of a top-notch product.

Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration granted its approval to aspartame in the year 1974, providing companies with a wealth of information and data regarding the capabilities and limitations of this artificial sweetener in various products. One noteworthy example is its ability to enhance and prolong the taste of specific fruit flavors such as cherry and orange, rendering it a favored choice for beverages and chewing gum. However, when subjected to heat, aspartame loses its characteristic sweetness, making it a less favorable option for cooked or baked goods.

Food and drink corporations are launching fresh products that contain either no sugar or minimal amounts of it as per the request of consumers. However, numerous products are being produced using alternative sweeteners or a combination of different sweeteners. Every freshly developed item has to go through a series of examinations assessing its sensory aspects and taste before it can be put on the market.

However, scientists caution that customers who have been devoted to long-standing products such as diet sodas may be accustomed to a particular flavor and could potentially react negatively to alterations in the ingredients.

Julie Creswell is a journalist residing in New York. Throughout her career, she has extensively reported on various subjects including banks, private equity, retail, and health care. Prior to her work at Fortune Magazine, Creswell delved into topics concerning debt, monetary policy, and mutual funds while employed at Dow Jones.