Organic Consumers Association
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2005

Scientists are calling for an urgent reevaluation of the artificial sweetener aspartame. The ingredient, commonly found in sugar-free beverages and candies, has been shown to cause cancer in rats, according to a new study <http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2005/8711/8711.pdf>  in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives. "Our study has shown that aspartame is a multi-potential carcinogenic compound whose carcinogenic effects are also evident at a daily dose of 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg), notably less than the current acceptable daily intake for humans," the authors write. http://www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/aspartame112805.cfm