Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Go urges DOH, FDA: Provide guidelines on use of artificial sweeteners
Philippines
National
Go urges DOH, FDA: Provide guidelines on use of artificial sweeteners
Go urges DOH, FDA: Provide guidelines on use of artificial sweeteners
Published Jul 25, 2023 01:19 am
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide Filipinos the necessary guidelines on the use and intake of artificial sweeteners following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) move to categorize aspartame as a potentially carcinogenic substance.
Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go (Photo courtesy of O/S Bong Go)
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said both agencies ought to be more aggressive in guiding the public on the potential health impacts of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, which have gained popularity as low-calorie sugar substitutes in recent years.
“Ang apela ko po sa DOH, FDA i-explain nang mabuti, nang maayos sa paraan na hindi masyadong teknikal, ‘yung madaling maunawaan ng ordinaryong Pilipino ang risk ng paggamit ng artificial sweetener katulad ng aspartame, itong mga hinahalo natin (My appeal is for the DOH, FDA to explain well, properly in a way that is not too technical, so that ordinary Filipinos can easily understand the risk of using artificial sweeteners like aspartame, these things that we mix in some food),” said Go in a recent interview.
“Sabi ng WHO, posibleng cancer causing po ito kung masobrahan. Pero safe naman kung magamit po ito within the recommended daily limits. So, may limitasyon po ito, ‘wag lang masobrahan po (The WHO said it is possibly cancer-causing if you consume it too much. But it is safe to use within the recommended daily limits. So there is a limitation, just don’t overdo it),” he pointed out.
Artificial sweeteners are commonly found in sugar-free and diet products, appealing to individuals who are conscious of their sugar intake and aiming to manage their weight.
Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of WHO, conducted a thorough review of three extensive human studies carried out in the United States and Europe, focusing on artificially sweetened beverages.
The IARC, based on their study, identified a potential association between aspartame and a specific form of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma. But despite this finding, WHO insists that aspartame remains safe for consumption as long as it does not exceed the recommended daily intake.
Go, however, said it is necessary to empower consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their diet and lifestyle.
He said promoting healthy habits and balanced nutrition should be a priority in the government's efforts to improve public health and well-being vis-à-vis a public information drive about artificial sweeteners and the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the Philippines.
“Ingat pa rin tayo sa ating kinakain, ingat tayo sa mga dinadagdag natin sa ating pagkain. Lahat naman po kapag sumobra na ay nakakasama (We still need to be careful about what we eat, what we add to our food. Anything that is too much is harmful),” he emphasized.
“So pangalagaan po natin, sumunod po tayo sa healthy living po para mas humaba pa ang ating buhay (So let's take care of ourselves, let's follow a healthy living so that we can live our lives longer),” he said.
Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go (Photo courtesy of O/S Bong Go)
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said both agencies ought to be more aggressive in guiding the public on the potential health impacts of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, which have gained popularity as low-calorie sugar substitutes in recent years.
“Ang apela ko po sa DOH, FDA i-explain nang mabuti, nang maayos sa paraan na hindi masyadong teknikal, ‘yung madaling maunawaan ng ordinaryong Pilipino ang risk ng paggamit ng artificial sweetener katulad ng aspartame, itong mga hinahalo natin (My appeal is for the DOH, FDA to explain well, properly in a way that is not too technical, so that ordinary Filipinos can easily understand the risk of using artificial sweeteners like aspartame, these things that we mix in some food),” said Go in a recent interview.
“Sabi ng WHO, posibleng cancer causing po ito kung masobrahan. Pero safe naman kung magamit po ito within the recommended daily limits. So, may limitasyon po ito, ‘wag lang masobrahan po (The WHO said it is possibly cancer-causing if you consume it too much. But it is safe to use within the recommended daily limits. So there is a limitation, just don’t overdo it),” he pointed out.
Artificial sweeteners are commonly found in sugar-free and diet products, appealing to individuals who are conscious of their sugar intake and aiming to manage their weight.
Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of WHO, conducted a thorough review of three extensive human studies carried out in the United States and Europe, focusing on artificially sweetened beverages.
The IARC, based on their study, identified a potential association between aspartame and a specific form of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma. But despite this finding, WHO insists that aspartame remains safe for consumption as long as it does not exceed the recommended daily intake.
Go, however, said it is necessary to empower consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their diet and lifestyle.
He said promoting healthy habits and balanced nutrition should be a priority in the government's efforts to improve public health and well-being vis-à-vis a public information drive about artificial sweeteners and the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the Philippines.
“Ingat pa rin tayo sa ating kinakain, ingat tayo sa mga dinadagdag natin sa ating pagkain. Lahat naman po kapag sumobra na ay nakakasama (We still need to be careful about what we eat, what we add to our food. Anything that is too much is harmful),” he emphasized.
“So pangalagaan po natin, sumunod po tayo sa healthy living po para mas humaba pa ang ating buhay (So let's take care of ourselves, let's follow a healthy living so that we can live our lives longer),” he said.