The Most Dangerous Food Additive?

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names Nutrasweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-measure (also Canderel - ed.). Aspartame was discovered by accident in 1965, when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug. Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26 1974, but objections filed by neuroscience researcher Dr. John W. Olney and consumer attorney James Turner in August 1974, as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices, caused the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame on hold (5 December 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D.Searle and made Searle Pharmaceuticals and the NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

Aspartame is by far the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods. Aspartame accounts for over 75% of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious, including seizures and death as recently disclosed in a February 1994 Department of Health and Human Services report ⁽¹⁾.

A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, memory loss and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingestion of aspartame ⁽²⁾:

• brain tumours
• multiple sclerosis
• epilepsy
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• Parkinson's disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• mental retardation
• lymphoma
• birth defects
• fibromyalgia and diabetes

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. The book, Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing, by James and Phyllis Baich, lists aspartame under the category of "chemical poison". As you will see, that is exactly what it is.

Aspartic Acid (40% of Aspartame)

Dr Russell L. Blaylock, a Professor of Neurosurgery at the Medical University of Mississippi, recently published a book thoroughly detailing the damage that is caused by the ingestion of excessive aspartic acid from aspartame. Aspartic acid makes up 40% of aspartame: glutamic acid is 99% of monosodium glutamate (MSG). The damage MSG causes is also documented in Blaylock's book. Blaylock makes use of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess free excitatory amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid in our food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and myriad other acute symptoms.⁽³⁾

How Aspartate (and Glutamate) Cause Damage

Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins". They "excite" or stimulate the neural cells to death.

Aspartic acid is an amino acid. taken in its free form (unbound to proteins) it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins,

• is not fully developed during childhood
• does not fully protect all areas of the brain
• is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions
• allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even when intact.

The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons. The large majority (75%+) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed.

A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure to amino acid damage include: multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, memory loss, hormonal problems, hearing loss, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hypoglycaemia, AIDS dementia, brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders.

The risks to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with certain chronic health problems from excitotoxins are great. Even the Federation of American Societies For Experimental Biology (FASEB) which usually understates problems and mimics the FDA party-line, recently stated in a review that:

"it is prudent to avoid the use of dietary supplements of L-glutamic acid by pregnant women, infants, and children. The existence of evidence of potential endocrine responses, i.e. elevated cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between males and females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and that supplemental L-glutamic acid should be avoided by women of childbearing age and individuals which affective disorders." ⁽⁴⁾

Aspartic acid from aspartame has the same deleterious effects on the body as glutamic acid.

The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free glutamate and aspartate is currently being debated. As reported to the FDA, those reactions include ⁽⁵⁾: headaches/migraines, nausea, abdominal pains, fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain), sleep problems, vision problems, anxiety attacks, depression and asthma/chest tightness.

One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of aspartame is memory loss. Ironically, in 1987, G.D. Searle, the manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a search for a drug to combat memory loss caused by excitatory amino acid damage.

Blaylock is one of many scientists and physicians who are concerned about excitatory amino acid damage caused by ingestion of aspartame and MSG. One of the many experts who have spoken out against the damage being caused by aspartate and glutamate id Adrienne Samuels, Ph. D., an experimental psychologist specialising in research design. Another is Dr. John Olney, a Professor in the department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, a neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world's foremost authorities on excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 that aspartic acid cause holes in the brains of mice.) Also included is Francis J. Waickman, M.D. a recipient of the Rinkel and Forman Awards, and board-certified in paediatrics, allergy and immunology.

Other concerned scientists include John R. Hain, M.D., board-certified forensic pathologist, and H.J. Roberts, M.D., FACP., FCCP., diabetes specialist and selected by a national medical publication as "the best doctor in the US". John Samuels is concerned also. He compiled a list of scientific research sufficient to show the dangers of ingesting excess free glutamic and aspartic acid. And there are many more who can be added to this long list.

Phenylalanine (50% of Aspartame)

Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolise phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal).

It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU. This is not just a theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of aspartame over a long period of time and do not have PKU have been shown to have excessive levels of phenylalanine in the blood.

Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of serotonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression. it was shown in human testing that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects who chronically used aspartame.⁽⁶⁾ Even a single use of aspartame raised the blood phenylalanine levels.

In his testimony before the US Congress, Dr. Louis J. Elsas showed that high blood phenylalanine can be concentrated in parts of the brain, and is especially dangerous for infants and foetuses. he also showed that phenylalanine is metabolised much more efficiently by rodents than by humans.⁽⁷⁾

One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published in the Wednesday Journal in an article entitled "An Aspartame Nightmare". John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked the aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.⁽⁸⁾

As Blaylock points out in his book, early studies measuring phenylalanine build-up in the brain were flawed. Investigators who measured specific brain regions and not the average throughout the brain noticed significant rises in phenylalanine levels. Specifically, the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and corpus striatum areas of the brain had the largest increases in phenylalanine. Blaylock goes on to point out that excessive build-up of phenylalanine in the brain can cause schizophrenia or make one more susceptible to seizures.

Therefore, long-term excessive use of aspartame may provide a boost to sales of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control schizophrenia and seizures.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol/poison (10% of Aspartame)

Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. Some people may remember methanol as the poison that caused some 'skid row' alcoholics to end up blind or dead. Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounters the enzyme chymotrypsin.

The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 30C (86F). This would occur when an aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g. as part of a 'food' product such as Jello).

Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states that methanol…

"…is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidised to formaldehyde and formic acid: both of these metabolites are toxic."

They recommend a limit of consumption of 7.8mg/day. A one-litre (approx. 1 quart) aspartame sweetened beverage contains about 56mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.⁽⁹⁾

Symptoms from methanol poisoning include: headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioural disturbances, and neuritis. The most well-known problems from methanol poisoning are vision problems, including misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage and blindness. formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects.⁽¹⁰⁾

Due to the lack of a couple of key enzymes, humans are many times more sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol than animals. Therefore, tests of aspartame or methanol on animals do not accurately reflect the danger for humans.

As pointed out by Dr. Woodrow C. Monte, Director of the Food Science and Nutrition Laboratory at Arizona State University,

"There are NO human or mammalian studies to evaluate the possible mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic effects of chronic administration of methyl alcohol." ⁽¹¹⁾

He was so concerned about the unresolved safety issues that he filed suit with the FDA, requesting a hearing to address these issues. He asked the FDA to…

"…slow down on this soft-drink issue long enough to answer some of the important questions. It's not fair that you are leaving the full burden of proof on the few of us who are concerned and have such limited resources. You must remember that you are the American public's last defence. Once you allow usage {of aspartame}, there is literally nothing I or my colleagues can do to reverse the course. Aspartame will then join saccharin, the sulfiting agents and God knows how many other questionable compounds enjoined to insult the human constitution with governmental approval."⁽¹⁰⁾

Shortly thereafter, the Commissioner of the FDA, Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., approved the use of aspartame in carbonated beverages. He then left for a position with G.D .Searle's public relations firm. ⁽¹¹⁾

It has been pointed out that some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of methanol. It is important to remember, however, that methanol never appears alone. In every case, ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts. Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in humans.⁽⁹⁾

The troops of Desert Storm were "treated" to large amounts of aspartame-sweetened beverages which had been heated to over 86F in the Saudi Arabian sun. Many of them returned home with numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in persons who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde. The free methanol in the beverages may have been a contributing factor in these illnesses. Other breakdown products of aspartame such as DKP (discussed below) may also have been a factor.

In a 1993 act that can only be described as unconscionable, the FDA approved aspartame as an ingredient in numerous food items that would always be heated to above 30C (86F).

Diketopiperazine (DKP)

Diketopiperazine (DKP) is a by-product of aspartame metabolism. DKP has been implicated in the occurrence of brain tumours. Olney noticed that DKP, when nitosated in the gut, produced a compound which was similar to N-nitrosourea, a powerful brain tumour-causing chemical. Some authors have said that DKP is produced after aspartame ingestion. I am not sure if that is correct. It is definitely true that DKP is formed in liquid aspartame-containing products during prolonged storage. See chart below:

Breakdown of aspartame and L-phenylalanine methyl ester, DKP, L-aspartylphenlalanine, and L phenylalanine, at bottling time, after six months, and after 36 months*

(* From: Tsang, Wing-Sum, et al. (1985), "Determination of Aspartame and its Breakdown Products in Soft Drinks by Reverse-Phase Chromatography with UV Detection" Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, vol.33, no.4, pp. 734-738.)

G.D.Searle conducted animal experiments on the safety of DKP. The FDA found numerous experimental errors occurred, including "clerical errors, mixed-up animals, animals not getting drugs they were supposed to get, pathological specimens lost because of improper handling" and many other errors. ⁽¹²⁾ These sloppy laboratory procedures may explain why both the test and control animals had 16 times more brain tumours than would be expected in experiments of this length.

In an ironic twist, shortly after these experimental errors were discovered, the FDA used guidelines recommended by G.D.Searle to develop the industry-wide FDA standards of Good Laboratory Practices. ⁽¹¹⁾

DKP has also been implicated as a cause of uterine polyps and changes in blood cholesterol by FDA toxicologist Dr. Jacqueline Verrett in her testimony before the US Senate. ⁽¹³⁾

Ailments Resulting from Aspartame

The components of aspartame can lead to a wide variety of ailments. Some of these problems occur gradually: other immediate, acute reactions.

There is an enormous population of people who are suffering from symptoms contributed to by aspartame, yet they have no idea why herbs or drugs are not helping relieve their problems. There are other users of aspartame who appear not to be suffering immediate reactions to aspartame. But even these individuals are susceptible to the long-term damage caused by excitatory amino acids, phenylalanine, methanol and DKP. A few of the many disorders that are of particular concern to me include the following:

Birth Defects

Dr. Diana Dow Edwards, a researcher, was funded by Monsanto to study possible birth defects caused by the ingestion of aspartame. After preliminary data showed damaging information about aspartame, funding for the study was cut off. A genetic paediatrician at Emory University has testifies that aspartame is causing birth defects.⁽⁷⁾

In the book, While Waiting: A Prenatal Guidebook, by George R. Verrilli, MD and Anne Marie Mueser, it is stated that aspartame is suspected of causing brain damage in sensitive individuals. A foetus may be at risk for these effects. Some researchers have suggested that high doses of aspartame may be associated with problems ranging from dizziness and subtle brain changes to mental retardation.

Cancer (Brain Cancer)

In 1981, Satya Dubey, an FDA statistician, stated that the brain tumour data on aspartame was so "worrisome" that he could not recommend approval of NutraSweet. ⁽¹⁴⁾ In a two-year study conducted by the manufacturer of aspartame 12 of the 320 rats fed a normal diet and aspartame developed brain tumours, while none of the control rats had tumours. Five of the 12 tumours were in rats given a low dose of aspartame. ⁽¹⁵⁾

The approval of aspartame was a violation of the Delaney Amendment which was supposed to prevent cancer-causing substances such as methanol (formaldehyde) and DKP from entering our food supply. The late Dr Adrian Gross, an FDA toxicologist, testified before the US congress that aspartame was capable of producing brain tumours. This made it illegal for the FDA to set an allowable daily intake at any level. He stated in his testimony that Searle's studies were "to a large extent unreliable" and that "at least one of those studies has established beyond any reasonable doubt that aspartame is capable of inducing brain tumours in experimental animals…" He concluded his testimony by asking,

"What is the reason for the apparent refusal by the FDA to invoke for this food additive the so-called Delaney Amendment to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act?… And if the FDA itself elects to violate the law, who is left to protect the health of the public?" ⁽¹⁶⁾

In the mid-1970's it was discovered that the manufacturer of aspartame falsified studies in several ways. One of the techniques used was to cut tumours out of test animals and put the animals back into the study. Another technique used to falsify the studies was to list animals that had actually died as surviving the study. Thus, the data on brain tumours was likely worse than discussed above. In addition, Raymond Schroeder, a former employee of the manufacturer of aspartame, told the FDA on 13th July 1977 that the particles of DKP were so large that the rats could discriminate between the DKP and their normal diet. ⁽¹⁷⁾

It is interesting to note that the incidence of brain tumours in persons over 65 years of age has increased 67 per cent between the years 1973 and 1990. Brain tumours in all age-groups have jumped 10 per cent. The greatest increase has come during the years 1985 to 1987(18). In his book, Aspartame (NutraSweet): Is It Safe? H.J.Roberts MD., gives evidence that aspartame can cause a particularly dangerous form of cancer: primary lymphoma of the brain.

 

Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is actually recommending this chemical poison to persons with diabetes. According to research conducted by H.J. Roberts (a diabetes specialist, member of the ADA and an authority on artificial sweeteners), aspartame:

1. leads to the precipitation of clinical diabetes:
2. causes poorer diabetic control in diabetics on insulin or oral drugs:
3. leads to the aggravation of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, cataracts, neuropathy, and gastroparesis:
4. causes convulsions.

In a statement concerning the use of products containing aspartame by persons with diabetes and hypoglycaemia, Roberts says:

Unfortunately, many patients in my practice, and others seen in consultation, developed serious metabolic, neurologic and other complications that could be specifically attributed to using aspartame products.
This was evidenced by the loss of diabetic control, the intensification of hypoglycaemia, the occurrence of presumed 'insulin reactions' (including convulsions) that proved to be aspartame reactions, and the precipitation, aggravation or stimulation of diabetic complications (especially impaired vision and neuropathy) while using these products.
Dramatic improvement of such features (occurs) after avoiding aspartame, and the prompt predictable recurrence of these problems (result) when the patient resumed aspartame products, knowingly or inadvertently.

Roberts goes on to say:

I regret the failure of other physicians and the American Diabetes Association to sound appropriate warnings to patients and consumers based on these repeated findings which have been described in my corporate-neutral studies and publications.

Russell Blaylock stated that excitotoxins such as those found in aspartame can precipitate diabetes in persons who are generally susceptible to the disease. ⁽¹⁹⁾

 

Emotional Disorders

A double-blind study of the effects of aspartame on persons with mood disorders was recently conducted by Dr Ralph G. Walton. Since the study wasn't funded/controlled by the makers of aspartame, The NutraSweet company refused to sell him the aspartame. Walton was forced to obtain and certify it from an outside source.

The study showed a large increase in serious symptoms for persons taking aspartame. Since some of the symptoms were so serious, the Institutional Review Board had to stop the study. Three of the participants had said that they had been 'poisoned' by aspartame.

Walton concludes that:

…individuals with mood disorders are particularly sensitive to this artificial sweetener: its use in this population should be discouraged. ⁽²⁰⁾

Aware that the experiment could not be repeated because of the danger to the test subjects, Walton was recently quoted as saying:

I know it causes seizures. I'm convinced also that it definitely causes behavioural changes. I'm very angry that this substance is on the market. I personally question the reliability and validity of any studies funded by the NutraSweet Company. ⁽²¹⁾

There are numerous reported cases of low brain serotonin levels, depression and other emotional disorders that have been linked to aspartame and often are relieved by stopping the intake of aspartame. Researchers have pointed out that an increase in phenylalanine levels in the brain, which can and does occur in persons without PKU, leads to a decreased level of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, which leads to a variety of emotional disorders. Dr William M. Pardridge of UCLA testified before the US Senate that a youth drinking four 16-ounce bottles of diet soda per day would have an enormous increase in phenylalanine levels.

 

Epilepsy/Seizures

With the large and growing number of seizures caused by aspartame, it is sad to see that the Epilepsy Foundation is promoting the 'safety' of aspartame. At Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 80 people were surveyed who had suffered seizures after ingesting aspartame. Community Nutrition Institute concluded the following about the survey:

These 80 cases meet the FDA's own definition of an imminent hazard to the public health, which requires the FDA to expeditiously remove a product from the market.

Both the US Air Force's magazine, Flying Safety, and the Navy's magazine, Navy Physiology, published articles warning about the many dangers of aspartame including the cumulative deleterious effects of methanol and the greater likelihood of birth defects. The articles note that the ingestion of aspartame can make pilots more susceptible to seizures and vertigo. ⁽²²⁾

Articles sounding warnings about ingesting aspartame while flying have also appeared in the National Business Aircraft Association Digest (1993), Aviation Medical Bulletin (1988), The Aviation Consumer (1988), Canadian General Aviation News (1990), Pacific Flyer (1988), General Aviation News (1989), Aviation Safety Digest (1989), and Plane & Pilot (1990), and a paper warning about aspartame was presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association (Gaffney, 1986).

Recently, a hotline was set up for pilots suffering from acute reactions to aspartame ingestion. Over 600 pilots have reported symptoms, including some who have reported suffering grand mal seizures in the cockpit due to aspartame. ⁽²³⁾

One of the original studies on aspartame was performed in 1969 by independent scientist, Dr. Harry Waisman. he studied effects of aspartame on infant primates. Out of the seven infant monkeys, one died after 300 days and five others had grand mal seizures. Of course, these negative findings were not submitted to the FDA during the approval process. ⁽²⁴⁾

Why Don't We Hear About These Things

The reasons many people do not hear about serious reactions to aspartame are twofold:

1. Lack of awareness by the general population. Aspartame-caused diseases are not reported in the newspapers like plane crashes. This is because these incidents occur one at a time in thousands of different locations across the US.
2. Most people do not associate their symptoms with the long-term use of aspartame. For the people who have killed a significant percentage of brain cells and thereby caused a chronic illness, there is no way that they would normally associate such an illness with aspartame consumption. How aspartame was approved is a lesson in how chemical and pharmaceutical companies can manipulate government agencies such as the FDA, 'bribe' organisations such as the American Diabetic Association, and flood the scientific community with flawed and fraudulent industry-sponsored studies funded by the makers of aspartame.

Eric Millstone, a researcher at the Science Policy Research Unit of Sussex University, UK has compiled thousands of pages of evidence, some of which has been obtained using the Freedom of Information Act ⁽²⁵⁾, showing:

1. Laboratory tests were faked and dangers were concealed.
2. Tumours were removed from animals, and animals that had died were 'restored to life' in laboratory records.
3. False and misleading statements were made to the FDA.
4. The two US attorneys given the task of bringing fraud charges against the aspartame manufacturer took positions with the manufacturers law firm, letting the statute of limitations run out.
5. The Commissioner of the FDA overruled the objections of the FDA's own scientific board of inquiry. Shortly after that decision, he took a position with Burson-Marsteller, the firm in charge of public relations for G.D. Searle.

A Public Board of Inquiry (PBoI) was conducted in 1980. There were three scientists who reviewed the objections of Olney and Turner to the approval of aspartame. They voted unanimously against aspartame's approval. The FDA Commissioner, Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes Jr., then created a five-person Scientific Commission to review the PBoI findings. After it became clear that the Commission would uphold the PBoI's decision by a vote of 3 to 2, another person was added to the Commission, creating a dead-locked vote. This allowed the FDA Commissioner to break the deadlock and approve aspartame for dry goods in 1981.

Dr. Jacqueline Verrett, the Senior Scientist in an FDA Bureau of Foods review team created in August 1977 to review the Bressler Report (a report that detailed G.D.Searle's abuses during the pre-approval testing), said:

It was pretty obvious that, somewhere along the line, the bureau officials were working up to a whitewash.

In 1987, Verrett testified before the US Senate, stating that the experiments conducted by Searle were a 'disaster'. She said that her team was instructed not to comment on or be concerned with the overall validity of the studies. She stated that questions about birth defects have not been answered. She continued her testimony by discussing the fact that DKP has been shown to increase uterine polyps and change blood cholesterol, and that increasing the temperature of the product leads to an increase in production of DKP.⁽²⁶⁾

Revolving Doors

The FDA and the manufacturers of aspartame have had a revolving door of employment for many years. In addition to the FDA Commissioner and two US attorneys leaving to take positions with companies connected with G.D.Searle, four other FDA officials connected with the approval of aspartame took positions with companies connected with the NutraSweet industry between 1979 and 1982, including the Deputy FDA Commissioner, the Special Assistant to the FDA Commissioner, the Associate Director of the Bureau of Foods and Toxicology, and the attorney involved with the Public Board of Inquiry. ⁽²⁷⁾

It is important to realise that this type of revolving-door activity has been going on for decades. The Townsend Letter for Doctors (11/92) reported on a study revealing that 37 of 49 top FDA officials who left the FDA took positions with companies that had regulated. They also reported that over 150 FDA officials owned stock in drug companies they were assigned to manage.

Many organisations and universities receive large sums of money from companies connected to The NutraSweet Association, a group of companies promoting the use of aspartame. In January 1993, the American Dietetic Association received a US$75,000 grant from The NutraSweet Company. The American Dietetic Association has stated that The NutraSweet company writes their 'facts' sheets. ⁽²⁸⁾ Many other 'independent' organisations and researchers receive large sums of money from the manufacturers of aspartame. The American Diabetes Association received a large amount of money from NutraSweet, including money to run a cooking school in Chicago (presumably to teach diabetics how to use NutraSweet in their cooking).

A researcher in New England who pointed out the dangers of aspartame in the past is now a Monsanto consultant. Another researcher in the south-eastern US testified about the dangers of aspartame on foetuses. An investigative reporter was told to keep his mouth shut to avoid causing the loss of a large grant from a diet cola manufacturer in the NutraSweet Association.

What is the FDA doing to protect the consumer from the dangers of aspartame? Less than nothing.

In 1992, the FDA approved aspartame for its use in malt beverages, breakfast cereals and refrigerated puddings and fillings. in 1993, the FDA approved aspartame for use in hard and soft candies, non-alcoholic flavoured beverages, tea beverages, fruit juices and concentrates, baked goods and baking mixes, and frostings, toppings and fillings for baked goods.

In 1991, the FDA banned the importation of stevia. The powder of the leaf has been used for hundreds of years as an alternative sweetener. It is used widely in Japan with no adverse effects. Scientists involved in reviewing stevia have declared it to be safe for human consumption - something which has been well-known in many parts of the world where it is not banned. Everyone that I have spoken with in regard to this issue believes that stevia was banned to keep the product from taking hold in the US and cutting into sales of aspartame. ⁽²⁹⁾

What is the US Congress doing to protect the consumer from the dangers of aspartame? Nothing.

What is the US Administration (President) doing to protect the consumer from the dangers of aspartame? Nothing.

Aspartame consumption is not only a problem in the USA. It is being sold in over 70 countries throughout the world.

I have been told that aspartame has been found in products where it is not listed on the label. One must be particularly careful of pharmaceuticals and supplements. I have been informed that even some supplements made by well-known supplement manufacturers such as Twinlabs contain aspartame.

The information I have related above is just the tip of the ice-berg in terms of damaging information about aspartame. In order for the reader to find out more, I have included some resources below.

Aspartame can be found in:

Instant breakfasts, breath mints, cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, cocoa mixes, coffee beverages, frozen desserts, gelatin desserts, juice beverages, laxatives, multivitamins, milk drinks, pharmaceuticals and supplements, shake mixes, soft drinks, tabletop sweeteners, tea beverages, instant teas and coffees, topping mixes, wine coolers, yoghurt.

THE ASPARTAME CONSUMER SAFETY NETWORK
PO Box 780634, Dallas, Texas 75378, USA. Phone: +1 (214)352 4268