However, the FDA reassures consumers that there is no need to worry about aspartame causing cancer or to change their consumption of the sweetener.

A separate WHO committee conducted a risk assessment on aspartame and concluded that the guidelines for its use do not need to change.

The FDA has stated that aspartame is safe for human consumption if used according to certain guidelines.

The FDA does not have safety concerns when aspartame is used under the approved conditions.

Aspartame is the most widely used artificial sweetener in the world.

It is approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar, so smaller amounts are needed to achieve the same level of sweetness.

Using a packet of NutraSweet in coffee adds about four calories, while achieving the same level of sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar, which contains 32 calories.

The FDA approved the use of aspartame in 1974, but the decision was temporarily suspended due to concerns raised by early animal studies.

In 1981, after a rigorous investigation, the FDA allowed the sale of aspartame in dry foods.

The FDA and WHO established guidelines for an acceptable daily intake of aspartame, with the WHO recommending a maximum of forty milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.

These guidelines have not changed since their establishment in the 1980s.

Additionally, there are three plant-based sweeteners that are generally recognized as safe: steviol glycosides (from the stevia plant), extracts from monk fruit, and thaumatin (from the West African Katemfe fruit).

Furthermore, there are sugars that are metabolized differently than traditional sugars, such as D-allulose, D-tagatose, and isomaltulose, which are generally recognized as safe.

In the United States, sweeteners and other food additives must be safe for consumption under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

The FDA reviews and approves new food additives before they can be marketed, ensuring their safety based on the latest scientific information.