Submission on aspartame petition to Health Committee 23 July 2008
We are presenting this submission to the Health Committee on behalf of over 8,000 people from throughout New Zealand,
and especially for all those who have become aware that their symptoms of ill health are due to consuming products with
aspartame.
The artificial sweetener aspartame (951) is the most controversial and complained about additive in history, and for
good reason, as many people suffer a range of symptoms from aspartame consumption, from mild and transitory to
debilitating and life-threatening. It is significant that non-industry funded studies have found various adverse health
effects from aspartame, whereas industry-funded studies do not find problems. We cannot underestimate the power and
sophistication of industry to maintain and expand its profit and market share, regardless of the health consequences of
exposure to this substance.
In this submission we will briefly consider the exposure rate to aspartame and a few selected health effects of the
many that have been reported in research, clinical studies and anecdotally.
Widespread exposure to aspartame Aspartame is being used in an increasing number of products, an estimated 6000 products
worldwide, not just those labelled 'diet' and 'sugar free' but also in chewing gum, sports drinks, dietary supplements
and medications. Sometimes the only warning is 'contains phenylalanine'. An estimated one in 15 people consume aspartame
around the world.
Aspartame in medicine particularly is a problem, as this does not have to be labelled with its ingredients. Recent
formulations of several anti-seizure drugs, at least in the US, eg Dilantin, Depacoat, Tegratol, and in New Zealand a
preparation for colonoscopy, Picoprep, have been reported to contain aspartame. Manufacturers are increasingly using
aspartame because it is cheaper and more convenient than sugar and also because of consumer concern about obesity.
The Government has made an agreement with industry to phase out sugar drinks in secondary schools by 2009, in an attempt
to control the obesity epidemic. However, manufacturers are maintaining their market share in schools by substituting
diet drinks. Exposure of young people to aspartame is therefore potentially increasing.
Some immediate reactions to aspartame There are many and varied immediate reactions to aspartame consumption. Over
10,000 people reported 92 symptoms to the FDA, with headache, dizziness or problems with balance, change in mood quality
or level being the most common, and many neurological symptoms [1]. Apart from these 92 symptoms, Dr HJ Roberts, a
widely respected doctor who has won an award for his humanitarian work, quotes many more from his clinical studies and
other research in his medical text 'Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic'. He estimates, in fact, that every doctor
probably encounters aspartame disease in practice.
In Appendix A is the story of a Wellington man, extremely allergic to formaldehyde, whose condition improved
miraculously after he avoided aspartame products. Jacob and Steele detail how children particularly can develop an
allergy to formaldehyde with exposure to aspartame and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives which are present in a
number of toiletries[2].
Some individuals may consume aspartame products for several years and may not notice immediate symptoms. However, there
is often a point when their health deteriorates, sometimes dramatically. Appendix B covers such a case: a woman who
still suffers some effects after consuming aspartame products for seven years and abstaining from them for the last five
years.
Sometimes the combination of problematic additives can cause a worse reaction. Lau and colleagues found that a
combination of aspartame and quinoline yellow (104) had an effect on cells up to seven times greater than the additives
on their own, and that a combination of MSG and brilliant blue (133) had an effect four times greater. The authors
suggest that these substances may interact to interfere with the development of the nervous system [3]. A Hamilton
woman, whose story is in Appendix C, has discovered that a combination of aspartame, MSG and tartrazine (102) is much
more likely to trigger symptoms in her son.
Interaction with drugs and effects on the brain In New Zealand the Minister of Health has confirmed that Medsafe has
approved a total of 124 medicines containing aspartame and 81 of these can be given to children. A particularly alarming
feature of aspartame being included in an increasing number of medicines is its potential to interact with them.
Dr Roberts describes in his medical text how aspartame interacts with Coumadin, Dilantin, antidepressants, other
psychotropic agents and all cardiac medications. He discusses various mechanisms for this, including alteration of the
blood proteins to which drugs attach, interference with drug action by amino acids and protein, and metabolic
abnormalities in the elderly that are known to enhance their vulnerability to drug reactions. Bowen and Evangelista
describe another process, where, because aspartame damages the mitochondria of the cell, it has the capability of
interacting with all drugs and some additives, including vaccines, MSG (621), and other artificial sweeteners such as
sucralose (955) [4].
A number of independent researchers have noted an increased susceptibility to seizures with aspartame consumption, in
contrast to industry-funded studies which found none [5]. However, as Gaby points out in his review, one limitation of
the latter studies is the use of capsules as opposed to diet drinks or foods with aspartame added [6]. The recent
inclusion of aspartame in several anti-seizure medications would therefore be counter-productive and potentially
life-threatening to patients.
The different chemical processes of excitotoxins such as aspartame and MSG impacting on the brain are described in
reviews by Humphries and colleagues [7] and also Blaylock [8]. The subsequent brain cell damage can particularly affect
pregnant women, unborn babies and newborns, producing changes in the brain that are irreversible, depending on when it
is stopped. Blaylock remarks that aspartame can reprogram the wiring of the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, so it
does not function normally. He points out that there is some evidence that subtoxic doses of such substances can alter
the cells physiology. Affected children may be abnormal for the rest of their lives in terms of their physiological
function.
Diabetes and aspartame Diabetics are a group likely to have a high consumption of aspartame products. With over 50 years
of experience, Dr Roberts, a diabetic specialist, points out that aspartame can precipitate diabetes, simulates and
aggravates diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, destroys the optic nerve, can cause diabetics to go into convulsions and
interacts with insulin. His patients notice a dramatic improvement in their condition when they avoid aspartame [9].
Fernand and colleagues noticed a drop in glucose levels of type 2 diabetics during exercise and cautioned that there are
important concerns raised concerning aspartame safety [10].
Studies which purport to demonstrate the safety of aspartame for diabetes have been criticised because of the use of
non-inert ingredients in the control groups, for example, corn starch and MSG [11].
Obesity and aspartame There is no research which conclusively proves that use of aspartame helps with weight loss. Much
research finds that not consuming sugar beverages leads to significant weight loss. However, separating the effects of
withdrawing from sugar beverages from the use of aspartame is more problematic. One review on weight loss and aspartame,
funded by an aspartame manufacturer, focussed on studies in which the control groups were consuming sugar beverages
[12]. Its conclusion that weight control is helped by aspartame consumption is debatable because of the inability in the
nine studies concerned to separate out other causes of weight loss, such as the cessation of sugar beverage consumption,
exercise and non-sweetened beverages such as water. Another study also carried out in 2006 repeated the same flaws and
did not report separately those who drank water from those who drank diet drinks [13].
There is, however, some research that shows aspartame and other artificial sweeteners induce carbohydrate craving, which
results in weight gain [14] [15] [16]. A 2005 study conducted over eight years at the University of Texas reported a
"41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day [17]."
Cancer and aspartame The registration of aspartame was rejected by the FDA in the 1970s because of tests in lab animals
resulting in brain tumours and seizures, and also because of sloppy and fraudulent testing as revealed by an audit.
Since its registration in 1981 through political manoeuvrings, many studies have been done on the carcinogenicity of
aspartame. A notable feature is that industry-funded scientists do not find evidence of carcinogenicity. More recently
the Ramazzini Foundation has carried out some studies which provide some evidence of its carcinogenicity, particularly
if there is prenatal exposure. Subsequent worldwide publicity of these studies has resulted in very prompt attacks on
them by scientists with industry connections, in spite of the fact that the studies were very rigorously peer-reviewed,
anticipating controversy. (The 2005 study, for example, was peer-reviewed by seven other experts, when two is the norm.)
We would really welcome scientists in our Food Safety Authority taking a much more dispassionate and objective
consideration of both sides of the aspartame debate, instead of tenaciously supporting a viewpoint which coincides with
that of the manufacturers. We are disappointed, for example, that the Authority has publicly supported its pro-aspartame
stance by quoting an industry-funded review published last year. This review accepted without question studies which did
not show adverse effects, criticised heavily and omitted mention of several others that did, and neglected to mention
ethanol, the natural counterbalance of methanol [18].
Because of the increasing adverse effects reported by many people around the world, there have been several attempts to
ban or restrict aspartame, for example, in the United States, Philippines, South Africa, New Mexico, Hawaii, UK (where
47 MPs called for a ban[19]) and Indonesia. Sophisticated pressure from aspartame manufacturers has ensured that these
attempts have been stymied, in spite of the huge public health impact. A bill to ban aspartame was successfully
introduced, however, in the Philippines earlier this year. It is a bizarre anomaly that another intense and relatively
benign sweetener, xylitol, carries a label warning of possible digestive problems, when aspartame, capable of causing
many more severe problems, carries none, apart from a label warning those with an intolerance to phenylalanine, one of
the components of aspartame.
In view of the above, we would like to respectfully request that the House of Representatives restrict the artificial
sweetener aspartame (951) until a ban can be enforced. We believe that exposure to this addictive neurotoxin is causing
a public health epidemic rivalling that of tobacco.
Specifically, we request the following:
1. Warning labels on all products containing aspartame to increase awareness of symptoms associated with aspartame
toxicity, particularly to alert pregnant women and mothers of small children.
2. A public education programme to raise awareness about adverse reactions to aspartame.
3. A programme to raise awareness within the medical profession of the symptoms associated with aspartame toxicity, to
prevent incorrect diagnosis of conditions that may be related to aspartame toxicity.
4. Removal of all products containing aspartame and other artificial sweeteners from schools to reduce toxic effects on
young people, thus reducing any behavioural and psychological problems that may result from these effects.
Alison White, Co-convenor, Safe Food Campaign, MA(Hons), Dip Tchg, DPH, MPH
Candidate, Wellington School of Medicine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] A full list of symptoms as reported to the FDA is available at:
http://www.mpwhi.com/fda_92_symptoms_on_aspartame.htm
[2] Jacob SE & Steele T (2007): Avoiding formaldehyde allergic reactions in children Pediatric Annals. Jan.; 36(1): 55-6.
[3] Lau K et al (2006) : Synergistic interactions between commonly used food additives in a developmental neurotoxicity
test. Toxicol Sci. Mar;90(1):178-87.
[4] Bowen J, Evangelista MA (2002): Brain cell damage from amino acid isolates: a primary concern from aspartame-based
products and artificial sweetening agents. http://www.wnho.net/aspartame brain_damage.htm.
[5] Mortelmans LJ et al (2008): Seizures and hyponatremia after excessive intake of diet coke. Eur J Emerg Med.
Feb;15(1):51
Wurtman RJ (1985): Aspartame: possible effect on seizure susceptibility. Lancet;2:1060.
Walton RG (1986): Seizure and mania after high intake of aspartame. Psychosomatics 1986;27:218,220.
[6] Gaby AR (2007): Natural approaches to epilepsy. Altern Med Rev. Mar;12(1):9-24.
[7] Humphries P (2008): Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain. European Journal of Clinical
Nutrition. 62, 451-462
[8] Blaylock RL (1997): Excitotoxins the Taste that Kill. Health Press, Santa Fe.
[9] Roberts HJ (2001): Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic. Sunshine Sentinel Press.
[10] Ferland A et al (2007): Is aspartame really safer in reducing the risk of hypoglycemia during exercise in patients
with type 2 diabetes? Diabetes Care. Jul;30(7):e59
[11] Roberts HJ (2001): Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic. Sunshine Sentinel Press.
[12] de la Hunty A (2006): A review of the effectiveness of aspartame in helping with weight control. British Nutrition
Foundation Nutrition Bulletin 31 , 115-128.
[13] Ebbeling CB et al (2006): Effects of Decreasing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption on Body Weight in Adolescents:
A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study Pediatrics 2006;117;673-680.
[14] Swithers SE and Davidson TL (2008): A role for sweet taste: Calorie predictive relations in energy regulation by
rats. Behavioral Neuroscience. Feb Vol 122(1) 161-173.
[15] Pierce WD et al (2007):Overeating by young obesity-prone and lean rats caused by tastes associated with low energy
foods. Obesity (Silver Spring). Aug;15(8):1969-79.
[16] Lavin, JH et al (1997): The Effect of Sucrose- and Aspartame-Sweetened Drinks on Energy Intake, Hunger and Food
Choice of Female, Moderately Restrained Eaters. Inter J Obesity. Vol.21, 37-42.
[17] Fowler SP et al (2005): Abstract 1058-P presented at the 65th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes
Association, San Diet, June 10-14.
18 Magnuson, BA et al (2007): Aspartame: A Safety Evaluation Based on Current Use Levels, Regulations, and Toxicological
and Epidemiological Studies, Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 37:8, 629 - 727.
19 http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=29937=875
Appendix A My allergy to formaldehyde Over some years I used to consume various aspartame products daily, including 4-5
Smints and 1-2 glasses of diet tonic water. About six years ago I woke up one morning finding some difficulties with
breathing and I thought I had suddenly developed asthma. Within an hour I was breathing properly again but the breathing
difficulties got worse over the next few weeks until I was forced to go to my doctor. About the same time I started to
itch, with intense itching particularly on my legs.
An allergy test at Wellington Hospital showed I was extremely allergic to formaldehyde. The skin specialist was as
puzzled about this as I was because I was not knowingly exposed to any formaldehyde. In the meantime the itching became
so unbelievably intense that nothing would stop me scratching. For some years my wife had to bandage my legs for me and
it was extremely uncomfortable. I went to three or four skin specialists who prescribed various remedies, but none
helped.
I contacted Alison White of the Safe Food Campaign after seeing a poster about a food workshop at the end of 2007. She
warned me about taking anything with aspartame, especially as it contains an ingredient that breaks down to
formaldehyde.
The result has been absolutely miraculous: in a matter of a few days my asthma subsided dramatically. My asthma has now
almost disappeared. My itching has stopped, my skin has returned to normal, I'm sleeping well. At age 76 I'm really
starting to feel just great again. I'm very grateful to have got this advice and I only wish that I had contacted Alison
six years ago, then I wouldn't have had to go through all this agony.
Appendix B My aspartame story I began drinking fizzy diet drinks from about 1988. I was drinking a litre of diet coke or
lemonade a day for seven years. No one told me they were bad for me, and back then it didn't occur to me to research
food or drink items that were readily available for sale.
Then one hot day at the end of 1994, I experienced something that felt like a massive hit in the head, and from that
moment on, I was constantly dizzy, disoriented, had blurred vision, and extreme numbness and tingling on the right side
of my face.
A visit to doctors and an MRI scan revealed no visible physical problems. So I was on my own with this, no one knew what
was going on. In addition, I was suffering anxiety and depression, which I had never experienced before, and my
relationships, confidence and self-esteem all suffered.
I spent most of 1995 having tests of various kinds, and one by one researching every food or drink item that I had
habitually consumed - to try and find out what had affected me. I put myself on elimination diets to remove items one by
one from my diet to see if it made any difference. Then I got around to researching the diet drinks, and discovered that
aspartame can cause the exact same symptoms I experienced.
I was relieved to have located the probable source of my illness, but I was also very angry that this stuff was allowed
to be sold for human consumption, and that I now had this very scary (and lonely) bad health situation to deal with. My
symptoms eventually diminished on a predominantly organic diet, but it took 5 years (until 2000), for the symptoms to
diminish to what I am left with now: a partial permanent loss of sensation on the right side of my face, and heightened
sensitivity to many chemicals. I read all my food and drink labels now, but we can never be truly safe while 951 is a
legal additive.
Appendix C My son's reactions to aspartame and MSG When my son was nine he experienced a series of traumatic events
which included being bullied, falling out of a tree and breaking his arm, and problems controlling his bowel movements.
The migraines he developed were initially controlled with Panadol. Under the guidance of a naturopath, we put him on a
restrictive diet, so he ate only plain wholesome food. We then reintroduced foods one at a time, and we were able to
detect which foods he reacted to. Later he was diagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome. Following a regime of good
food (we have our own fruit, vegetables, meat and milk on our organic lifestyle block), his headaches and bowel problems
became less frequent.
As we did not eat a high concentration of foods containing MSG, aspartame or artificial colourings, it was a while
before we could link symptoms to their consumption. We found they could trigger migraines and the return of his bowel
problems, especially in combination.
Now if he does have one or the other problems, I ask what he has been eating. The hardest thing for us is children's
parties, or visiting friends, when there is an overload of items available containing MSG eg polonies, sausages rolls,
chips, dip, topped off with fanta and coke !!
What annoys me most is having to constantly troll the supermarket aisles and watch the ingredients column. Even foods
that advertise on the front of the packet 'NO MSG ADDED), can still have MSG in them. Aspartame is not so difficult to
spot as it is in most things labelled "sugar free". New Zealand and Australian companies seem to be including these
additives in more and more products, so when my son gets a headache and we track it back to a product he has always
eaten, then read the small print to find it is now included.
I feel that any campaign advocating for education and product notification of the existence of these food additives in
the food chain must be good. It took us about 5 years to go through this process. If there had been warning labels with
products containing aspartame, MSG and artificial colours such as tartrazine, I think this process could have been
shortened.
ends