As more Americans are avoiding sugar artificial sweeteners have come into the gap in popular dishes, with over 6000 items made with aspartame.

However, questions are being asked regarding the safety of aspartame after Reuters revealed that the research division from the World Health Organization is set to announce that the synthetic sweetener “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has “assessed the potential carcinogenic effect of aspartame” and will announce the results on 14 July a spokesperson from the group said to CBS MoneyWatch. They didn’t confirm the Reuters report on the IARC’s conclusions on the safety of aspartame.

The IARC analyzes the risk of cancer of certain substances, and a different WHO group is responsible for recommending the amount of a substance is safe for humans to consume.

Aspartame is accepted in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be used within food and drink products. The FDA concluding that the additive can be “safe for the general population.” However, questions have been raised regarding the safety of aspartame, including one research study which was that was published by the journal peer reviewed Nutrients and stating the fact that “the results of its long-term use remain difficult to predict.”

How can I tell if aspartame is a good thing?

Aspartame is one of the compounds known as methyl ester. Artificial sweetener, which is 200 times as powerful as regular sugar granulated, was introduced to on the market in 1981 as a sugar substitute with low-calorie in the year 1981. The brand names are Nutrasweet, Equal and Sugar Twin. Since it was first introduced, sugar has grown to become an important ingredient in food and beverages throughout North America, Asia and Europe as information obtained from National Library of Medicine illustrates.

• Do aspartame’s health effects pose a risk to you? What do you need to know about this sweetener

According to numerous studies, aspartame doesn’t alter blood sugar levels as well as insulin level, which makes it a sought-after sugar substitute in foods aimed at those with diabetes. Manufacturers have also utilized aspartame in sugar-free and reduced-sugar snacks drinks, condiments and other foods in studies that have connected the consumption of sugar in excess to different cancers.

Foods containing aspartame

Here are some drinks and foods which contain the ingredient aspartame

• Zero-sugar or diet sodas, including Diet Coke
• Gums that are sugar-free, like Trident gum
• Diet drink mixes, including Crystal Light
• Low-sugar foods, such as Log Cabin Syrup Sugar-Free
• Sugar-free gelatin like Sugar-free Jell-O
• Tabletop sweeteners are sold under various brand names, including Equal and Nutrasweet

The company Coca-Cola the maker of Diet Coke, nor other makers of food products that contain aspartame have responded to requests for comments.

To be certain, the specific sweeteners in products with low sugar differ, and some companies alter the ingredients. To obtain the most precise information, customers should look through the ingredient lists of individual products to determine whether or not they contain aspartame.

Is aspartame dangerous?

Although several studies have found that aspartame is safe when consumed when consumed in moderation, research has found a link between aspartame and cancer. A single research research of more than 100,000 people in France found that those who consumed higher amounts of artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, were at a slightly higher risk of developing cancer.

Aspartame is also known to cause seizures, headaches and depression, according to some research studies have demonstrated.

The FDA as well as the American Cancer Society, however both still consider aspartame to be safe for human consumption.

Robert Rankin, president of the Calorie Control Council, an international organization that represents lower- and less-calorie foods and drinks, said there was a lack of context from IARC’s “misleading claims” from the IARC.

“Consumers deserve facts, and the fact is aspartame is safe and one of the most widely studied food ingredients, which is why the Calorie Control Council is gravely concerned about any unsubstantiated and misleading assertions that contradict decades of science and global regulatory approvals,” the spokesperson stated in a statement addressed to CBS News.

As per the accepted limit for daily amount in the case of synthetic sweeteners an adult who weighs 150 pounds should consume at least 18 cans Zero-sugar soda per day to suffer serious health effects from aspartame.

This article has been revised to correct the earlier inclusion of Smucker’s in the list. Smucker’s has stated that it doesn’t make use of aspartame in its low sugar jams.