(Yicai Global) June 30 -- Shares in Chinese makers of artificial sweeteners other than aspartame surged after an affiliate of the World Health Organization was rumored to be considering declaring the substance used in Coke Zero and Pepsi Max as a "possible carcinogen to humans" in July.

Erythritol producer Baolingbao Biology [SHE:002286] and stevia maker Layn Natural Ingredients [SHE:002166] rose by the 10-percent daily limit, whereas Sanyuan Biotechnology [SHE:301206] closed up 9.9 percent.

The boost is welcomed by erythritol companies including Sanyuan amid declining product prices and oversupply. The price of erythritol in China ranges from CNY12,000 to CNY15,000 (USD1,654.8 to USD2,068.5) per ton, and that of aspartame goes from CNY80,000 to CNY100,000 (USD11,032 to USD13,790) per ton. However, aspartame is much sweeter so it is cheaper to use in beverages and snacks.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer is set to declare one of the world's most common artificial sweeteners as a cancer risk, Reuters reported yesterday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

It is unclear what research evidence and reasoning the alleged decision of the IARC would be based on but it would cause great controversy in the industry, Zhong Kai, director of the China Food Information Center, said to Yicai Global. There have been hundreds of studies on whether aspartame is safe to use in the past 40 years, and more than 90 countries and regions, including the United States and the European Union, currently allow the use of aspartame.

The details and impact of the potential labeling remain to be seen, per Zhu Danpeng, vice president of the Guangdong Food Safety Promotion Association.

Editor: Emmi Laine