The IARC ruling was finalised earlier in June, and is intended to assess whether something is a potential hazard.
The ingredient set to be re-labelled is aspartame, a popular artificial sweetener found in an array of food products including Diet co*ke, chewing gum and light yoghurt.
Discovered in 1965 by US chemist James Schlatter, it is approximately 200 times sweeter than regular table sugar.
A low-calorie sugar substitute, it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1974 to be used as a tabletop sweetener and additive in breakfast cereals, among other foods. It was first approved for UK use in 1982.
So, how do the nation’s diet drinks stack up in terms of aspartame use?
The following popular drinks do not contain aspartame:
Tango Sugar Free - Orange, Dark Berry, Paradise Punch, Apple: Tango opts for alternative sweeteners in its sugar free drinks, using Sucralose, Acesulfame K.
Monster Energy Sugar Free: Likewise, Monster Energy uses Sucralose and Acesulfame K rather than aspartame.
Karma Drinks Sugar Free Karma Cola: A smaller brand, Karma Drinks markets its sugar-free cola as “all natural”, containing no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. It uses Steviol Glycosides as a sweetener.
Fentimans Traditional Curiosity Cola: Another alternative to the large brands, Fentimans uses Steviol Glycosides from Stevia as a sweetener.
Red Bull Sugar Free: A popular energy drink, the sugar free Red Bull alternative uses Sucralose and Acesulfame K as sweeteners.
Own-brand supermarket alternatives are also typically free from aspartame, including Sainsbury’s and Tesco’s diet lemonade drinks, as well as diet cola alternatives from Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Tesco.
These diet drinks do contain aspartame:
Diet co*ke
co*ke Zero
Pepsi Max
Fanta Zero
Dr Pepper Zero
IRN-BRU Xtra Sugar Free
7Up Zero Sugar.
Note: This article was updated on 11 July 2023 to reflect that Red Bull Sugar Free does not contain aspartame.
Some popular diet soda brands that do not use aspartame include: Diet co*ke with Splenda - uses sucralose as a sweetener. Pepsi One - uses acesulfame potassium and sucralose. Diet Rite - uses a combination of sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
The following popular drinks do not contain aspartame:
Tango Sugar Free - Orange, Dark Berry, Paradise Punch, Apple: Tango opts for alternative sweeteners in its sugar free drinks, using Sucralose, Acesulfame K. Monster Energy Sugar Free: Likewise, Monster Energy uses Sucralose and Acesulfame K rather than aspartame.
Diet co*ke in our bottles and cans is sweetened with aspartame. We also offer Diet co*ke sweetened with SPLENDA®. No, but Sprite Zero in the US is sweetened with a blend of aspartame and Ace-K for a crisp, clean taste with reduced or no calories.
Crystal Light is sweetened with a combination of aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and/or sugar depending on the specific product line and flavor. First packaged in multi-serve canisters, Crystal Light launched single-serve "On The Go" packets in 2004.
Replacing sweetened soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories from your diet each day. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may also help you feel full faster, so you won't eat as much. It can help speed your metabolism, too.
Common foods and drinks with aspartame include: Tabletop sweeteners, including NutraSweet, Equal and Sugar Twin. Beverages and drink mixes, such as Diet co*ke, co*ke Zero, Diet Snapple, Fanta Zero, Sprite Zero, Crystal Light and Wyler's Light. Sugar-free gum, including Trident, Extra, Wrigley's and Mentos gum.
While Diet Dr.Pepper is sweetened with aspartame, Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar is sweetened using a combination of aspartame and acesulfame potassium for a more syrupy, authentic Dr. Pepper taste.
Damage to kidney and liver: Studies suggest that if you regularly eat or drink a lot of aspartame over a long period, it could harm your kidneys. Scientists also think aspartame can cause toxic liver disease. Mood swings: Aspartame can cause changes to your mood.
The difference between Splenda and other sweeteners, like aspartame (Equal) and saccharin (Sweet'N Low), is that it's actually made from real sugar. This gives it a taste that is generally more preferable compared to other artificial sweeteners.
It was formerly known as "Sugar-Free Mountain Dew" until 1986, when it was given its current name. In 2006 Diet Mountain Dew was reformulated with a new "Tuned Up Taste", using a blend of sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium as sweeteners.
For those seeking alternatives to Crystal Light and aspartame, consider: Stevia: A natural, calorie-free sweetener.Erythritol: A sugar alcohol with minimal calories.Monk Fruit Sweetener: A natural, calorie-free option.
The Crystal Light Pure option, which uses more naturally derived ingredients, is a better choice, though it does contain added sugar. As such, Crystal Light could certainly be enjoyed on occasion, but plain water remains the best way to meet your hydration needs.
Stevia-sweetened soft drinks like Zevia (available in 'Cola' and a variety of flavors)
Topo Chico or other sparkling water with dark cherry extract or flavor drops (see below) – fans of this combo say it tastes like a Dr. Pepper (or Diet Dr. Pepper).
Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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