tim's journal

Aspartame approval

Several weeks ago, lawsuits were were filed in three separate California courts against twelve companies producing or using aspartame as a sugar substitute in their products. This was reported in the U.N. Observer & International Report which, admittedly, seems rather sketchy. The article was released by the World Natural Health Organization and the National Justice League. While most of the arguments were familiar. this paragraph caught my eye:

Since its discovery in 1965, controversy has raged over the health risks associated with the sugar substitute. From laboratory testing of the chemical on rats, researchers have discovered that the drug induces brain tumors. On Sept 30, l980, the Board of Inquiry of the FDA concurred and denied the petition for approval. In l981, the newly appointed FDA Commissioner, Arthur Hull Hayes, ignored the negative ruling and approved aspartame for dry goods. As recorded in the Congressional Record of 1985, then CEO of Searle Laboratories Donald Rumsfeld said that he would call in his markers to get aspartame approved. Rumsfeld was on President Reagan's transition team and a day after taking office appointed Hayes. No FDA Commissioner in the previous sixteen years had allowed Aspartame on the market.

Wait a second, did that just say CEO Donald Rumsfeld, as in Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. That's scary. Oh man, it is. Wild.

Posted by torque at April 23, 2004 8:30 AM | TrackBack