Saccharin is Sweet Again
Saccharin is no longer on the government list of cancer-causing agents. The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) issued a report on Monday, removing the sugar substitute from its inventory of "known carcinogens." But before warning labels on saccharin products can be taken off, Congress must still give its approval.
Saccharin was placed on the list of carcinogenic agents in 1981, after studies showed a strong link between the sweetener and cancer in laboratory rats. Experts say there is usually a relationship between lab animals and humans, but tests in recent years have shown no clear association between saccharin and cancer in humans.
Dr. George Lucier, director of toxicology for the NIEHS, says he still thinks saccharin has the potential to cause cancer. "It's just that we don't have conclusive proof anymore," he says.
The NIEHS report, however, will not automatically lead to a removal of the warning label on saccharin. Congress will need to approve it. For the past several years, several prominent organizations have given saccharin a clean bill of health, including the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association and the American Diabetes Association.
The most recognized item containing saccharin is Sweet 'N Low. It's also commonly found in chewing gum, mouthwash, toothpaste, and cough syrup.
Besides taking saccharin off the list of known carcinogens, the NIEHS report added several items, including second-hand smoke, alcohol, sunlamps and the breast cancer drug, Tamoxifen.
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