In a new wave of activism for public health, Yuka, the independent health app trusted by over 75 million people worldwide, today launched in the United States its investigative report, “Aspartame: When Lobbying Dictates Science.” As Yuka renews its fight against aspartame in Europe through a citizen petition calling for a ban, mobilizing both the public and political leaders, the organization urges Americans to stop accepting the deception of powerful industry interests and complicit authorities.
Aspartame is hidden in over 6,000 products worldwide, including “light,” “zero,” and “diet” drinks, generating billions in profits every year for food giants. But the truth is damning: Yuka’s report uncovers decades of manipulation, conflicts of interest, and scientific neglect from authorities such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). From its initial U.S. approval, which bypassed the warnings of FDA toxicologists and ignored alarming scientific anomalies, to the installation of industry-friendly officials and the “revolving door” between regulators and manufacturers, the aspartame story is one of regulatory failure and corporate power run amok.
“History will remember the aspartame saga as a textbook case of profits winning out over people’s health.
Our leaders at the FDA and EFSA have failed their citizens.
Now it’s up to informed citizens and advocates to demand protection, not excuses,”
said Julie Chapon, Yuka co-founder.
Yuka’s report highlights groundbreaking human research, including a 2022 study from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) which found that even modest aspartame consumption—only a half a can of artificially sweetened soda daily—was linked to a 15–22% increase in cancer risk. Building on this evidence, among other comprehensive studies, in 2023 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the world’s leading cancer authority, officially classified aspartame as a possible human carcinogen. The report also underscores a growing body of studies connecting aspartame to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and gut disruption. Crucially, while sweeteners are often marketed as aids for weight management, research shows no evidence that they promote weight loss; in fact, the opposite may be true. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that long-term sweetener use was associated with a 76% higher risk of obesity and a significant rise in BMI. Yet despite this broad and mounting body of high-quality, independent research—spanning cancer, metabolic disease, gut health, and obesity—regulators have still failed to reassess aspartame’s safety, choosing instead to lean on industry-funded “reassurances.”
As Yuka’s campaigns in Europe have already forced concrete action—securing legal victories, reducing authorized nitrite levels, and mobilizing citizens—the fight against aspartame has become a centerpiece of its advocacy. In partnership with the French League Against Cancer and the European NGO Foodwatch, Yuka launched a petition to the European Commission that has already gathered nearly 350,000 signatures (see the petition here).
Building on this momentum, the launch of Yuka’s report in the U.S. is a call to arms for Americans to confront industry influence and demand accountability. This call is not happening in a vacuum: we are already witnessing states like Louisiana take decisive action, recently passing a bill that prohibits both public and private schools receiving state funds from serving foods containing aspartame in school breakfasts, lunches, and aftercare meals. At the same time, major retailers are also drawing the line—grocery store giant Whole Foods has banned aspartame from all products on its shelves. These shifts demonstrate that change is possible when institutions and consumers push back, and they highlight the urgent need for collective action to hold the food industry to higher standards nationwide.
The full aspartame report is available here - https://yuka.io/en/aspartame-investigation/
About Yuka
Yuka is an independent, mission-driven initiative empowering millions of people to understand what’s in the food and cosmetics they buy by providing clear, science-based ratings through a free mobile app. By scanning a product’s barcode, users instantly receive an easy-to-understand score.
With over 75 million global users and a database of 5 million products, Yuka is more than just an app—it’s a growing movement for a healthier and more transparent consumer landscape
Yuka does not work with brands, never accepts advertising or industry money, and exists solely to protect the public from hidden risks and industry abuses. More information here: https://yuka.io/en/independence/
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251002792639/en/
“History will remember the aspartame saga as a textbook case of profits winning out over people’s health. Now it’s up to informed citizens and advocates to demand protection, not excuses,” said Julie Chapon, Yuka co-founder.
Contacts
For interviews, press copies, or further information, contact yuka@kalamari.agency.