Cancer from Artificial Sweeteners..?

A small test in Italy on rats indicates Aspartame may cause cancer. Most other countries are not about to change or do anything differently because there are several unanswered questions concerning this research. But they are investigating and no doubt we will be hearing more.

I use Aspartame in moderation. Like everything else. What is a little shocking about this new research is how small the dose used that caused cancer in rats. If other countries verify this it would be pulled off the market. Because even moderate use could be toxic.

I looked at many reports today from the medical and food industry and most have no doubt Aspartame is safe. I found hundreds of reports relative to hundreds of tests to prove if any cancer connection with use of this product. And they are overwhelmingly in favor of Not Guilty verdict. This latest info is one small report. And no peer review as yet. We'll see.

So, who do we believe?

Listen to the American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society, in addressing previous allegations of a possible link between aspartame and cancer has stated, "Current evidence does not demonstrate any link between aspartame ingestion and increased cancer risk."

What does the Calorie Control Council say: "The Calorie Control Council today stated that reports of a preliminary unpublished rat study alleging that aspartame may be related to an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma in rats are unsupported and totally contradictory to the extensive scientific research and regulatory reviews conducted on aspartame. Acceptance and reporting of such preliminary findings should be withheld until the research is completed.

With billions of man-years of safe use, consumers and health professionals can be assured that aspartame is safe for humans. And the rigorous scrutiny and battery of studies to which aspartame has been subjected should provide people with additional confidence in its safety," stated Lyn Nabors, executive vice president of the Calorie Control Council."

Listen to the European Food Safety Authority: "EFSA does not consider it appropriate to suggest any change in consumers' diets relative to aspartame ...."

Health Canada has also stated that based on the limited new information available, it is not recommending any dietary changes relating to the use of aspartame.

When FDA approved aspartame, the FDA Commissioner noted: "Few compounds have withstood such detailed testing and repeated, close scrutiny, and the process through which aspartame has gone should provide the public with additional confidence of its safety."

Could go on but will just leave a few links for you to read for yourself.

http://www.aspartame.org/
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050729/clf033.html?.v=15
http://www.foodconsumer.org/777/8/What_is_aspartame_.shtml