Does aspartame cause cancer? No more than aloe vera and pickled veggies, based on latest risk level

Aspartame, one of the most popular artificial sweeteners used in sugar-free foods and drinks, has been declared as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the World Health Organization. It sounds scary, so what does it really mean? Katherine Ward has a reality check on the WHO’s stance, and how critics call this warning misleading and unnecessary.

• Artificial sweetener aspartame declared possible carcinogen. What are the risks?