Aspartame
An artificial sweetener classified by IARC in 2023 as possibly carcinogenic. People with phenylketonuria must avoid it.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener around 200 times sweeter than sugar, used in diet drinks, sugar-free sweets and protein products.
What the research says
In 2023 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), while the joint FAO/WHO expert committee kept its acceptable daily intake unchanged. It contains phenylalanine, so people with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it, and labels have to say so.
CleanPlate verdict
Fine in moderation for most adults, but it is a concern-level ingredient in our scoring and a sign of a heavily formulated product.
Related additives
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A synthetic antioxidant that stops oils from going rancid. Permitted within limits, but common in heavily processed, oil-rich foods.
In 32 rated products →BHA
A synthetic antioxidant (butylated hydroxyanisole) that IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
In 6 rated products →Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil hardened by hydrogenation. Labels rarely say whether it is partially hydrogenated (trans fat) or fully hydrogenated (saturated fat).
In 4 rated products →