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ARTICLE · 28 JULY 2023

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Aspartame — When Is Sweet Enough?

Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP
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Weightmans LLP

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In this article, we examine the prevalence of and risks of aspartame and consider whether such worry is well founded and should manufacturers act?

United KingdomConsumer Protection
Jim Byard
Jim Byard

In this article, we examine the prevalence of and risks of aspartame and consider whether such worry is well founded and should manufacturers act?

The recent addition by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of aspartame to a list of substances believed to be potentially carcinogenic has sparked consternation amongst consumers, manufacturers and product liability insurers. We examine the prevalence of and risks of aspartame and consider whether such worry is well-founded.

What is aspartame?

In brief, aspartame is an artificial sweetener which contains a combination of two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic, joined by a peptide bond. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar, meaning that only a small amount is needed to match the sweetness of sugar.

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