Aspartame sweetener ruled ‘possible’ cause of cancer by WHO

The WHO said a person weighing 70kg would need to consume more than between nine and 14 cans of diet soft drink per day to exceed the daily guideline

Aspartame has been listed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” based on the findings of the World Health Organisation (Yui Mok/PA)

An artificial sweetener used in thousands of products including diet fizzy drinks, ice cream and chewing gum has been ruled a “possible” cause of cancer by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

But a panel of experts has said the sugar substitute aspartame is safe in limited quantities.