Is There Aspartame in Fruit? [The Probable Carcinogen That Shook US]

With recent news from Reuters, Aspartame consumption is now being questioned, and amidst the doubts, many are concerned if fruit also has them.

So, to clear the air about the rising doubts about Aspartame and common foods that contain them, read till the end of the article.

What is Aspartame?

Aspartame is a popular artificial sweetener that is used to enhance the taste of foods and beverages without adding calorie value.

Unlike regular sugar, Aspartame is 200 times sweeter with almost zero calorific value.

It was discovered by American chemist James Schlatter in 1965 and later approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA in 1974.

Since then, it has been widely used in low-calorie foods and beverages for more diet-conscious consumers.

Is Aspartame Bad For You?

Aspartame has taken over the low-calorie diet industry with its highly beneficial properties at low cost.

Reports state IARC has assessed the potential carcinogenic effect (causing cancers) of Aspartame and will only release their finding in July.

According to experts and studies, Aspartame is safe for daily consumption but only if taken within limits or in moderation.

That said, some peer-reviewed journals associate Aspartame consumption in relatively larger amounts with Cancer.

Moreover, other studies also showed headaches, seizures, and even depression after consumption of Aspartame. But, Aspartame was approved and considered safe by FDA for humans.

“Our results do not indicate that occasional consumption should pose a risk to most,” says Dr. Francesco Branca, director of the W.H.O. Department of Nutrition and Food Safety.

But the FDA stays adamant about their decades ago decision and disagrees with the conclusion. Further, the FDA said in a statement suggesting shortcomings in the studies on which IARC relied.

Additionally, FDA adds, “Aspartame being labeled by the W.H.O. as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ does not mean that aspartame is actually linked to cancer.”

Meanwhile, JECFA states there’s no proof it harms humans if used as directed.

Hence, the answer to the primary question still remains debatable to this date. Nonetheless, you should limit your daily intake of artificial sweeteners to be on a safe edge.

Does Fruit Contain Aspartame?

No, fruits do not contain Aspartame as it is an artificial sweetener made by combining Aspartic acid and Phenylalanine.

But fruit-based foods and beverages like soda drinks, snacks, or candies might contain Aspartame to intensify the flavor without adding extra calories.

On the contrary, fruit like Mango, Grape, or Apple is naturally sweet due to sugars like fructose. So, no fruit contains Aspartame.

Do you know PepsiCo stopped using Aspartame in its sodas in 2015? A year later, they put it back but in 2020, they removed it again.

Common Foods and Beverages That Contain Aspartame

Here are some common foods and beverages that contain Aspartame.

• Sugar-free or zero-sugar sodas like Diet Coke
• Low-sugar juices
• Cereals
• Sugar-free jams
• Artificially sweetened sugar-free gum, like Trident gum
• Sugar-free gelatins like Sugar-free Jell-O
• Low-calorie coffee sweeteners
• Chewable vitamins
• Tabletop sweeteners