Aspartame Controversy Hits Makgeolli: "Must Drink 33 Bottles a Day to Reach Allowed Limit... Will Seek Alternatives"

Aspartame Carcinogen Classification Notice
Makgeolli Association Plans Discussion with MFDS if Confirmed
Alternative Sweetener Recipe Development Expected to Accelerate

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the World Health Organization (WHO), is reportedly planning to classify 'Aspartame,' an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute, as a possible carcinogen, which is expected to intensify discussions within the Makgeolli industry about cutting ties with Aspartame.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the industry on the 4th, Aspartame has been found to be used in some products of major Makgeolli companies such as Seoul Jangsu, Kooksoondang, and Jipyeong Brewery. Known to be 200 times sweeter than sugar, Aspartame is a food additive used to provide sweetness in processed foods and is used in over 200 countries worldwide. In South Korea, it is used not only in Makgeolli but also in soft drinks, chewing gum, syrups, and has recently gained attention as an alternative to sugar, which causes hypertension and obesity.

Makgeolli companies using Aspartame are generally feeling perplexed as this controversy arises while they are using small amounts averaging about 0.0025% in some products according to legal standards. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, an adult weighing 60 kg would have to drink 33 bottles of 750 ml Makgeolli (containing 72.7 ml of Aspartame) per day to reach the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of Aspartame. ADI refers to the amount of a substance per kilogram of body weight that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without harmful effects. This means that so far, the use of Aspartame itself has not posed significant problems.

However, since the controversy has already grown, the industry states that it will respond quickly in line with the guidelines set by relevant authorities once they are decided. Nam Do-hee, Secretary General of the Korea Makgeolli Association, explained, “We believe that changes can be accepted and specific measures taken only when government policies or MFDS standards are clearly established. If Aspartame is classified as a possible carcinogen by WHO, we plan to discuss whether to exclude Aspartame from additives or change the risk threshold, and currently, we have notified member companies of the MFDS risk standards and are closely monitoring the situation.”

Regardless of WHO’s classification or subsequent actions by the MFDS, individual companies’ moves to exclude Aspartame from their products are expected to accelerate. Given the spread of information that Aspartame is a possible carcinogen, companies judge that emphasizing products without Aspartame is more effective than trying to persuade consumers about its safety. Secretary General Nam said, “Since Aspartame has been stigmatized with a carcinogen image, concerns about reduced consumption are growing. From the perspective of companies for whom consumer response is most important, research and development for applying alternative sweeteners will accelerate in the short term.”

The Makgeolli industry holds the view that changing recipes to apply alternative sweeteners is not a major difficulty. Many already have alternative recipes secured, and although some natural sweeteners may face supply issues due to difficulties in mass production, the technological and cost burdens are not significant. Additionally, the steady increase in Makgeolli products without sweeteners, including those without Aspartame, also helps reduce the industry's burden. An industry insider explained, “Changing recipes is quite feasible. However, if additives are changed, there may be subtle differences in taste, so time may be needed for consumer evaluation.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.