Aspartame scandal freaks out Korea's zero sugar industry

The possibility of aspartame, a common artificial sweetener used in diet sodas, being classified as a carcinogen is raising concerns for Korean beverage makers and consumers, even though the country's food regulator has been confident of its...

Pepsi Zero Sugar Lime [LOTTE CHILSUNG BEVERAGE]

The possibility of aspartame, a common artificial sweetener used in diet sodas, being classified as a carcinogen is raising concerns for Korean beverage makers and consumers, even though the country's food regulator has been confident of its safety in the past.

Aspartame, used in diet sodas and makgeolli (Korean rice wine), may be listed as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) starting July 14, according to Reuters and industry sources.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) affiliate cancer research center classifies agents into five categories based on carcinogenicity: carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic, not classifiable and probably not carcinogenic. “Possibly carcinogenic” substances have limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and experimental animals.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2021 said a 60-kilogram (132-pound) adult would have to drink 55 250-milliliter (8.45-ounce) cans of zero soda every day to consume apartame over the acceptable daily intake (ADI), or an estimate of a specific substance in food or a beverage that can be consumed every day over a human's lifetime without an appreciable health risk.

Sugar-free sodas Pepsi Zero Sugar Lime, Mango and Black, manufactured by Lotte Chilsung Beverage, are some of Korea's most commonly seen and popular aspartame-laced drinks. More than 550 million won ($420,000) worth of Pepsi Zero Sugar Lime have been sold here since its introduction in January 2021 as the so-called “healthy pleasure” craze took the market by storm.

“Aspartame is among the 22 food additives approved by the Food Ministry,” a Lotte Chilsung Beverage spokesperson told the JoongAng Ilbo, adding that the issue is being discussed with Pepsi’s global headquarters.

Makgeolli manufacturers signaled a joint, industry-wide response.

“Aspartame is an ingredient used to intensify food product’s sweetness and is commonly used in makgeolli production,” said a source from the Korean traditional wine industry.

The source added that the response will not be a stand-alone move by each manufacturer, but a move based on an equal plan of action agreed by related agencies and the makgeolli industry.

Makgeolli, or Korean rice wine, products are displayed at a discount store in downtown Seoul. [NEWS1]

Aspartame is also found in Orion’s nacho and potato chip products. But an Orion spokesperson argued these snacks contain so little aspartame that an adult weighing 60 kilograms would have to eat 300 bags of 60-gram chips a day to surpass the WHO’s ADI.

“We’ve taken preemptive actions to replace the ingredient,” the spokesperson told the JoongAng Ilbo.

Two coke and five sparkling ade products manufactured by Emart’s private brand “No brand” currently contain aspartame. The retailer is reportedly in talks with its cooperative firms to substitute aspartame with another sweetener.

Food and beverage companies Coca-Cola Korea, Hite Jinro and Lotte Wellfood said none of their products contain aspartame.

Kwangdong Pharmaceutical’s trademark vitamin drinks “Vita 500 and Vita 500 Zero are unrelated to aspartame,” the company claimed.

Sugar-free food manufacturers are awaiting the IARC’s official decision and the Food Ministry’s response amid the aspartame phobia.

“The news has the industry agitated since aspartame was known as a ‘safe’ additive approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Korea’s Food Ministry,” an industry source from the industry said.

“Sugar-free drinks that do not contain aspartame may benefit [from the controversy] in the short run, but the zero sugar market may weaken as a whole in the long term due to consumer anxiety.”

The IARC also classifies aloe vera and pickled Asian vegetables as "possibly carcinogenic." "Very hot beverages" above 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) are classified as "probably carcinogenic."

BY CHOI SUN-EUL, SOHN DONG-JOO [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]