What if someone were to tell you that a chemical added to food could cause brain damage in your children, and that this chemical could effect how your children’s nervous systems formed during development so that in later years they may have learning or emotional difficulties? What if there was scientific evidence that these chemicals could damage a critical part of the brain known to control hormones so that later in life your child might have endocrine problems?

Suppose evidence was presented to you strongly suggesting that the artificial sweetener in your diet soft drink may cause brain tumors to develop, and that the number of brain tumors reported since the widespread introduction of this artificial sweetener has risen dramatically? Would that affect your decision to drink these products and especially to allow your children to drink them? What if you could be shown overwhelming evidience that one of the main ingredients in this sweetener (aspartate) could cause the same brain lesions as MSG? Would that affect your buying decisions?

And finally, what if it could be demonstrated that all of these types of chemicals (called excitotoxins) could possibly aggravate or even precipitate many of the neurodegenerative brain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Hungtington’s disease, ALS and Alzheimer’s disease? Would you be concerned if you knew that these excitotoxin food additives are a particular risk if you have ever had a stroke, brain injury, brain tumor, seizure, or have suffered from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis or viral encephalitis?

I would think that all of us would be more than just concerned to learn that well known powerful brain toxins were being added to our food and drink to boost sales. We would be especially upset to learn that these additives have no other purpose than to enhance the taste of food and the sweetness of various diet products.

It made me really sad when I heard recently that the House had passed a billed making it illegal to sue fast food restaurants for obesity and all the related ills that come from it. We have been sold down the river and this is going to directly affect you, your kids, your grand kids and just about all of the people we know and love. They are in effect circling the wagons.

Here is what is at stake. 350,000 people die each year from obesity related illnesses. 450,000 die from smoking. But as our level of health deteriorates soon obesity related deaths will outstrip the smoking deaths. We are reaching a point at which the future generation will not live as long as their grandparents did in spite of all the marvels of scientific medical advancement.

At the core of this obesity problem is MSG. MSG is not an herb nor is it a spice; it is a drug designed to addict us to junk foods. MSG is shorthand for processed free glutamic acic, i.e., glutamic acid that has been manufactured or freed from protein through processing or bacterial fermentation. It is a toxic substance. It can be used without disclosure. If you have not read the lab reports on MSG then you will probably not be aware that it is present in most of the processed foods and meats that we eat. It is present in everything from baby foods to most of the foods that we eat in restaurants.

On the corporate level the people who engineer processed foods have read the lab reports and they know just what a deadly poison MSG is. They know the devastating effect that it has on brain chemistry. They know what it does to the pancreas and they have studies showing the results that MSG has had on lab animals resulting in everything from diabetes and obesity to uncontrollable violence. Instead of stopping the use of MSG they have lobbied to change the labeling laws. They now have over 15 different names that they can put on the label to mislead you so that you don't even know that you are eating MSG. These include "natural flavors", "glutamic acid" and "glutamate".

The active ingredient in MSG is Glutamic Acid which is an amino acid (protein) present naturally in a lot of foods including fruits and vegetables. It is also present in our brain chemistry where it acts as a neuro transmitter carrying messages from the brain to neuro receptors throughout our body. The processed form of Glutamic Acid, a form of MSG, is an excitotoxin. It is so concentrated that it over-stimulates the neuro pathways to the point of literally burning them out.

The reason that the processed food industry is so in love with this drug is that it makes even cheap food taste irresistible. If you had two food products and they both had the same exact ingredients in them but only one had MSG and the other didn't you would choose the one with MSG saying that it tasted better. In short no one in the processed food industry can afford to stop using MSG and stay in business unless everybody stops using it.

In America we have two lines of defense that are supposed to protect us from this type of corporate greed. One is the doctors. Through the AMA and the FDA they have a huge amount of power. They have basically sold us down the river. There is no limit as to how much MSG a company can put in our food. And the foods with the highest levels of MSG are the foods that are marketed to our kids. And if you do a chart showing the rise of Childhood Diabetes you will see that as our level of consumption of MSG-loaded food increases so has the rate of Childhood Diabetes.

Here is a brief overview of how MSG relates directly to Childhood Diabetes and Diabetes in general. In the pancreas there are many Glutamic Acid neuro receptors. When we have an excess of Glutamic Acid in our system then the pancreas starts working overtime. At first it creates an excess of insulin which then races through the body rounding up all of the blood sugar and turning it into fat deposits. This form of obesity is the first stage of Childhood Diabetes. Then the pancreas which is totally overworked just burns out. Now you have full blown Childhood Diabetes. Diabetes is not a disease it is a multi billion dollar industry. And it is totally preventable.

I have a friend who is obese and yet he eats less than I do. He is a starving student living on Top Ramen (loaded with MSG). So many people are becoming obese without even overeating, just from consuming foods high in MSG on a daily basis. How can we take "personal responsibility" for our weight when we are being deceived and lied to by the processed food industry? By the way, Kraft Foods and many other major foods companies are now owned by Phillip Morris, the tobacco industry giant. These are companies that specialize in making fortunes through addicting the public to their products. It is their business model.

I totally believe that in the current political, medical, corporate climate, the best interests of a whole generation have been sold out. This is not rocket science. All you have to to is look around you. Half of all US adults are overweight and so are a third of all US children and youth. So many people have been robbed of their quality of life by those who were placed in positions to protect them.

The second line of defense is the lawyers who are like the watch dogs of corporate greed. And that is why I was so upset today when they passed that bogus law, because they are trying to make sure that the lawyers can't even begin to bring about the law suits that should be being filed all over the country as we speak.

And the issue of Glutamic Acid has never even been brought up. The agencies who are supposed to help us know how to eat better are pushing low fat processed foods as the answer. They are barking up the totally wrong tree. Fats are one of the main nutrients that our foods supply us with. Without Omega Fatty Acids our brains cannot function. Eating raw healthy fats does not make us overweight. In order for us to have a well balanced diet we need Fats, Proteins, and Carbohydrates. Plus water. If you mess with any of these basic food groups then you have an imbalance in your diet that will manifest itself as a serious illness sooner or later; an imbalance which the doctors will then treat with drugs and surgery.

The thing that upsets me more than anything else is the fact that they were putting MSG in baby foods in the 1950s and Congress passed a law making it illegal to put MSG in baby foods. So that means that they have known about the horrendous side effects of MSG since the 1950s. So why didn't they make it illegal to put it in all of the nation's food supply? What the baby food companies did was start putting Glutamic Acid in the baby food using different labeling because they noticed that when the baby food had Glutamic Acid in it that the babies would eat one spoon after another. And when they would add the Glutamic Acid in different forms they would print on the label "NO MSG ADDED". (Perhaps cooked food tastes so bad to us when we start out fresh in life that we need to add MSG to get babies to eat it at all).

When we find ourselves under attack by this type of Machiavellian Processed Food Industry that has not only poisoned but drugged our nation's food supply then we must one and all answer the Clarion's Call.

The below is from truthinlabeling.org

These are some of the ways of hiding MSG in a product label:
Glutamate Glutamic acid Gelatin
Monosodium glutamate Calcium caseinate Textured protein
Monopotassium glutamate Sodium caseinate Yeast nutrient
Yeast extract Yeast food Autolyzed yeast Hydrolyzed protein
(any protein that is hydrolyzed) Hydrolyzed corn gluten

These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing:
Carrageenan Maltodextrin Malt extract
Natural pork flavoring Citric acid Malt flavoring
Bouillon and Broth Natural chicken flavoring Soy protein isolate
Natural beef flavoring Ultra-pasteurized Soy sauce
Stock Barley malt Soy sauce extract
Whey protein concentrate Pectin Soy protein
Whey protein Protease Soy protein concentrate
Whey protein isolate Protease enzymes Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s) Anything enzyme modified Anything fermented
Natural flavor(s)
& flavoring(s) Enzymes anything Seasonings
(the word "seasonings")

Please feel free to pass this on to the people you care about.

ASPARTAME DISEASE – An Ignored Epidemic – H.J. Roberts, M.D., F.A.C.P.,F.C.C.P.
DEFENCE AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE – H.J. Roberts, M.D., F.A.C.P.,F.C.C.P.
EXCITOTOXINS – The Taste That Kills – Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.

NEW – FIRST FILM ABOUT ASPARTAME: ‘SWEET MISERY'

For more information e-mail: cori@soundandfuryproductions.com
or Telephone 001 520 624 9710

Splenda Marketing Campaign Seeks to Mislead, Confuse Consumers; Generation Green Asks the FTC to Investigate

Distribution Source : PRNewswire Date : Thursday - January 13, 2005

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Generation Green today called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the misleading marketing campaign being conducted by Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Nutritionals LLC for its artificial sweetener, Splenda.

"McNeil is intentionally misleading and confusing consumers into believing that Splenda is natural by repeatedly using the word 'sugar' in its advertising campaign," said Generation Green Executive Director Rochelle Davis. "This couldn't be farther from the truth. Splenda is a man-made chemical compound unrecognizable as sugar."

Given that McNeil has absolutely no basis for suggesting that Splenda and sugar are closely linked and equally natural products, Generation Green's letter urges FTC regulators to halt McNeil's misleading advertising campaign and to compel the company to disseminate accurate information to its customers.

Generation Green is an advocacy group made up of parents and other concerned citizens favoring corporate and governmental policies that will allow children to grow up protected from exposure to toxins.

"Any substance whose listed ingredients include 4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D- galactopyranosyl-1 cannot be considered natural," Ms. Davis said. Phosgene, one of the chemicals used in making Splenda is described by the Centers for Disease Control as a major industrial chemical used to make plastics and pesticides. "Parents need to have accurate information in order to make appropriate food choices for their families," she added.

McNeil has no reasonable basis for its marketing slogan, "made from SUGAR so its tastes like SUGAR." In fact, Splenda is a chemically created product that uses chemicals such as chlorine and phosgene, a poisonous gas. Moreover, the Splenda ingredient label doesn't even list sugar as an ingredient.

McNeil's own scientists have even conceded that any casual link between sucrose and Splenda's sweet taste is "impossible to prove." The complex chemical process involved in making Splenda is hardly what a consumer would expect from a sweetener being touted as being "made from sugar."

Recently, the company expanded its advertising campaign to include a new Splenda product that can be used as a sugar substitute in baking. According to the letter, the marketing of this new use is an effort to further confuse consumers and reinforce the notion that Splenda is a sugar product.

Notably, with the introduction of this baking product, Splenda is now cutting into the market share not only of artificial sweeteners but of natural sweeteners like sugar itself. The fact that Splenda is now competing directly with natural sweeteners suggests the extraordinary success of the company's deceptive message that Splenda is natural and sugar-based.

Although McNeil hasn't labeled Splenda as natural, its advertising efforts have certainly conveyed that message effectively. The Generation Green letter cites a disturbing examples of this perception that Splenda is natural. In one such example, Dr. Arthur Agatston, a well-known cardiologist and author of the South Beach Diet said "Splenda is natural," when asked by a consumer during an on-line forum whether Splenda could be harmful. According to Ms. Davis, "this is a dangerous development, as the product is anything but natural."

Advertisers and ad agencies must have a reasonable basis for advertising claims, and this requirement is especially important when consumer health and safety is at issue.

"Generation Green is especially concerned that many of the Splenda ads focus on images of children and emphasize the use of Splenda for children," said Davis. "What's more, as Splenda shows up in products like breakfast cereals, reduced calorie fruit juices and snack foods, the impact of McNeil's deceptive advertising, if it is allowed to continue, is inevitably going to be much greater consumption of this unnatural product by our children. Parents have the right to know that Splenda is not just like sugar," Davis concluded.

The text of the letter follows:

January 13, 2005 Generation Green P.O. Box 7027 Evanston, IL 60201

Division of Advertising Practices Bureau of Consumer Protection Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20580

Re: Misleading Advertising of Sucralose/Splenda

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing on behalf of Generation Green and its member families. We work with parents and other concerned citizens to advocate for corporate and governmental policies that will allow children to grow up protected from exposure to toxins. We place great importance on protecting the consumer's right to know about chemical exposure, particularly related to food so that people are able to make informed decisions, especially with respect to their children's health. With this in mind, we are writing to lodge a formal complaint and seek the Federal Trade Commission's investigation of advertising by McNeil Nutritionals LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (collectively "Company") for the artificial sweetener Sucralose under the brand-name Splenda ("Splenda").

Our investigation suggests that the Company has no reasonable basis for its marketing slogan "made from SUGAR so it tastes like SUGAR," nor can it substantiate claims that the Splenda is "natural." To the contrary, Splenda is a chemically created product in which sugar molecules are chemically manipulated through chlorination and other processes so as to be completely unrecognizable as sugar. The legal requirement of advertising substantiation- that advertisers and ad agencies have a reasonable basis for advertising claims before they are disseminated-is especially important when consumer health and safety is at issue, such as in a food additive like Splenda.

Without substantiation of its marketing claims, Splenda now holds over a third of the sweetener market only six years after its approval as a food additive by the FDA in 1998. This remarkable growth is attributed to the perception that Splenda is natural and sugar-based. This perception is the result of the Company's intentional efforts to mislead consumers regarding the product. The slogan "made from SUGAR so it tastes like SUGAR" seeks to mislead and confuse consumers into believing that Splenda is a natural product of sugar. It is a deceptive claim. The first step in manufacturing Splenda is the chlorination of sugar. This process chemically changes the structure of the sugar molecules by substituting three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups. Following chlorination, a further chemical process is applied using phosgene, a poisonous gas described by the Centers for Disease Control as a major industrial chemical used to make plastics and pesticides. Notably, the Splenda label does not and cannot list sugar as an ingredient, as sugar is not recognizable in the final product.(1)

Nonetheless, the Company encourages consumer confusion by continually highlighting the word "sugar" in its advertising campaign, seeking to bolster the false association between Splenda and sugar in consumers' minds. Interestingly, the Company's own scientists have conceded in technical journals that any casual link between sucrose and the sweet taste of Splenda is "impossible to prove." Although the Company does not label Splenda as "natural," its broader advertising efforts effectively have conveyed that product as natural. Consider:

* The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article in February 2004 where a physician specializing in internal medicine advised the mother of a saccharin user to consider Equal/Nutrasweet or "the natural low calorie sweetener Splenda."

* In the Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS), a syndicated food columnist described Splenda as a "natural, nonnutritive sweetener."

* When asked by a consumer online whether Splenda could be harmful, Dr. Arthur Agatston, the well-known cardiologist and author of the South Beach Diet, said "Splenda is natural."

This is a dangerous development, as the product is anything but natural.

Recently, the Company expanded its campaign advertising Splenda as a sugar product, now selling Splenda as a sugar substitute for use in baking. The marketing of this new use is an effort to further confuse consumers and reinforce the notion that Splenda is a sugar product. This expanded campaign also is likely to result in the ingestion of Splenda in significantly larger quantities-not simply as a food additive but as a major ingredient to fundamental foodstuffs. Notably, with the introduction of this baking product, Splenda is now cutting into the market share not only of artificial sweeteners but of natural sweeteners like sugar itself. The fact that Splenda is now competing directly with natural sweeteners suggests the extraordinary success of the Company's deceptive advertising campaign that Splenda is natural and sugar-based.

Many of the Splenda ads focus on images of children; these ads convey the message that Splenda is a better, more natural product for children than other artificial sweeteners. These ads aim to encourage children to eat low sugar products suggesting that "low sugar" and "with Splenda" means the product is healthier. In one television commercial, a child's voice says "Splenda and spice and everything nice. That's what little girls are made of." over video of children playing. This advertisement clearly equates Splenda with sugar (replacing "sugar" with "Splenda" in a common expression) and emphasizes the use of the product for children.

Moreover, Splenda's product expansion has focused on creating "low sugar" products like snack foods, breakfast cereals and soda. These products are the types of products children are most likely to choose for themselves. Together, this product expansion marks a clear intention by the Company to target, not only parents, but also children, a less discerning audience, with its misleading advertising.

If, as there appears, the company has no basis for suggesting that Splenda and sugar are closely linked and equally natural products, the FTC should halt the Company's extensive marketing campaign and require the Company to provide substantiation for its marketing claims or disseminate accurate information to its consumers.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

(1) Instead, Splenda's listed ingredients are dextrose, maltodextrin, and the synthetic sweetening compound 4-chloro-4deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-1, 6dichloro-1, 6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranoside.

Generation Green
CONTACT: Bob Brandon, Project Director of Generation Green,
+1-202-331-1550

This information is provided by Mercola.com, the world's most visited and trusted natural health website. You can keep current on all the exciting
new natural health news by subscribing to the free weekly health newsletter
at <http://www.mercola.com>Mercola.com.
----------
Splenda Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

This year marked the fifth anniversary of Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, also known as sucralose. Since it was first made available in 1999 via the Internet, Splenda has been given the title of the number one branded sweetener in the United States, finding its way into nearly 20 percent of consumer homes. That is more than any other pantry staple food brand.

Splenda fans enjoy the product's versatility and are drawn to its sweet taste. Splenda Franchise Director explains why people love the product so
much: "People have learned that they can have the best of both worlds -- all the sweetness and taste they love, without the calories."

The newest member to join the Splenda brand family is Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking, which is predicted to heavily hit the market during the holiday
season.

Consumers Sweet Addiction to Splenda:

* Based on dollar sales, Splenda is now the leading branded sweetener in U.S. homes. This means that its sales are ahead of those of both Domino
and C&H Sugar.
* An astonishing 51 percent of Splenda's volume growth is from the sugar category, which declined 4 percent in the most recent year.
* The sweetener's dollar share of the low calorie sweetener category is greater than those of both of its nearest low calorie sweeteners combined.
* 5 billion Splenda packets are consumed each year. This equals about 9,000 per minute.
* It is approved for use in 79 countries.
* Splenda No Calorie Sweetener is used in more than 4,000 products worldwide.

<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040922/nyw051_1.html>Yahoo Financial News
September 22, 2004

Dr Mercola's Newsletter

This information is provided by Mercola.com, the world's most visited and trusted natural health website. You can keep current on all the exciting
new natural health news by subscribing to the free weekly health newsletter
at <http://www.mercola.com>Mercola.com.
----------
Splenda Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

This year marked the fifth anniversary of Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, also known as sucralose. Since it was first made available in 1999 via the Internet, Splenda has been given the title of the number one branded sweetener in the United States, finding its way into nearly 20 percent of consumer homes. That is more than any other pantry staple food brand.

Splenda fans enjoy the product's versatility and are drawn to its sweet taste. Splenda Franchise Director explains why people love the product so
much: "People have learned that they can have the best of both worlds -- all the sweetness and taste they love, without the calories."

The newest member to join the Splenda brand family is Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking, which is predicted to heavily hit the market during the holiday
season.

Consumers Sweet Addiction to Splenda:

* Based on dollar sales, Splenda is now the leading branded sweetener in U.S. homes. This means that its sales are ahead of those of both Domino
and C&H Sugar.
* An astonishing 51 percent of Splenda's volume growth is from the sugar category, which declined 4 percent in the most recent year.
* The sweetener's dollar share of the low calorie sweetener category is greater than those of both of its nearest low calorie sweeteners combined.
* 5 billion Splenda packets are consumed each year. This equals about 9,000 per minute.
* It is approved for use in 79 countries.
* Splenda No Calorie Sweetener is used in more than 4,000 products worldwide.

<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040922/nyw051_1.html>Yahoo Financial News
September 22, 2004

----------
Dr. Mercola's Comment:

All those great numbers and facts might lead you to believe sucralose is a pretty safe product, but nothing could be further from the truth. Animal research has shown that sucralose can cause many problems such as:
* Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40 percent shrinkage)
* Enlarged liver and kidneys
* Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus
* Increased cecal weight
* Reduced growth rate
* Decreased red blood cell count
* Hyperplasia of the pelvis
* Extension of the pregnancy period
*
<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2004/feb/11/nutrasweet.htm>Aborted
pregnancy
* Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights
*
<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2004/apr/14/splenda_reactions.htm>Diarrhea

If you think using Splenda is worth risking your health, than go ahead and use it. Just keep this in mind: Nearly every month we receive a report from someone who has had an adverse effect from Splenda. The fact is, many people are uneducated about the reverse effect this product can have on your health and body and find out only after they experience a negative reaction.

If dramatically reducing your intake of sweet, whether it is sugar or alternative sweeteners like Splenda, feels close to "impossible" for you, I strongly urge you to read my bestselling
<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//forms/total_health_book.htm>TOTAL
HEALTH Cookbook and Program (which has a special offer now!) It presents my entire dietary program that has helped many tens of thousands of patients,
and one of the key reasons this book has received such widespread critical acclaim is its strong focus on eliminating unhealthy dietary cravings and
addictions like "sweet addiction" through natural solutions like metabolic typing and much more.

For further information on Splenda you can review my
<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2000/dec/3/sucralose_dangers.htm>Splenda
toxicity page and read through the many
<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2000/dec/3/sucralose_testimonials.htm>testimonials
people have sent in about this product.

Related Articles:

<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2000/dec/3/sucralose_products.htm>Sucralose
(Splenda®) U.S. Product List

<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2004/feb/7/sugar_industry.htm>U.S.
Government Influenced by Sugar Industry

<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2004/jan/10/splenda_questions.htm>12
Questions You Need to Have Answered Before You Eat Splenda

<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2003/aug/23/splenda.htm>Splenda
is Not a "Healthy" Sweetener

<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2004/apr/14/splenda_starbucks.htm>Now
Even Starbucks Can Make You Sick With Splenda

<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2004/apr/24/jamba_juice.htm>More
Splenda -- Now Jambajuice Adds

----------
<http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/oct/9//2004/oct/9/index.htm>Return to
Table of Contents #575

----------

Visit Mercola.com for health news and information you can really use, and sign up for the free twice weekly Mercola e-newsletter today at
<http://www.mercola.com>www.mercola.com

ASNUK NEWSLETTER
Spring 2004
Learning to live additive free

INTRODUCTION

Firstly an apology to all our members and others waiting for updates on things happening in the world of additives – from a layperson’s point of view. I’m aware this Newsletter is long overdue.
For those of you who did not hear earlier, sadly Dave Reitz died late last year. He was the founder and webmaster of www.dorway.com – on which he worked tirelessly to help the world know about aspartame. His website remains one of the most comprehensive sites for information and links on this subject and others. It also is the home of Mission Possible information on aspartame by Betty Martini. If you have never visited it, I would urge you to do so. Included in this Newsletter is information about the NPWA Yellow Card Campaign to the Water Companies - against water fluoridation. This campaign was launched just before Christmas (See under CAMPAIGNS)

For those reading this for the first time, please appreciate that at ASNUK we are all unpaid volunteers networking to help each other and exchange information all in our own time! If you are on email, please do contact me if there are particular points that you what an update on. Please also email me if you read articles about additives – ASNUK is particularly interested how (if at all) the media deals with sweeteners in articles giving a rundown on additives causing possible health problems. For our part we were recently alerted to information on a sweeteners company’s own website – it makes interesting reading (See below under NEWS).

Geoff Brewer
Founder and Chair

NEWS
Extracted from www.rense.com: Soda given the brush off in US Schools
Philadelphia Public Schools Ban Sale Of Sodas 1-16-4

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Philadelphia officials have banned the sale of sodas throughout the public school system, a move nutrition experts said on Thursday would help guard children against obesity.

The Philadelphia School District decided late on Wednesday to end the sale of carbonated sodas in vending machines and lunch rooms. Starting July 1, schools must sell fruit juice, water, milk and flavored milk drinks instead.

Philadelphia, with about 214,000 students, is the second major U.S. school district to adopt such a policy.

Last year New York City banned soda as well as candy and sweet snacks from vending machines in its system, the largest in the United States.

Some California school districts curb soda sales but their policies are not as strict as those in Philadelphia and New York, said Sandy Sherman, a nutrition educator at The Food Trust, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit group.

"There is not a good reason for soda to be sold in schools," said Sherman, whose group lobbied for the ban. "It contributes to obesity, type-2 diabetes and dental cavities, and displaces milk drinking."

The American Academy of Pediatrics this month urged all school districts to restrict soda sales to reduce the risk of obesity. Each 12-ounce serving of the average soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar.

More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. In 2000, 38.8 million Americans or 31 percent of the adult population were classified as obese, meaning their health was seriously at risk.

Free samples – no thank you said ASNUK campaigner!
A heavy central London campaign was noted in Covent Garden, London with a team of red-liveried young people handing out free sample packs of Canderel. Of course one of our ASNUK campaigners was there to set the record straight to the shock and surprise of the “Canderel kids”.

CAMPAIGNS
The anti-fluoride campaign hots up with its Yellow Card Campaign – NPWA launched a new campaign December 2003 calling on the public to send Yellow Cards to their Water Companies warning that people will be deducting the costs of alternative supplies from their bills should the companies fluoride the water. For more info see www.npwa.freeserve.co.uk and on how to get your cards. Artificial fluoride is the one additive (from toxic waste of the phosphate fertiliser industry that is currently forced on approximately 10% of our population. The new Water Act 2003 gives power to Strategic Health Authorities to tell the water companies to fluoridate – after “public consultations” - format on this awaited! Meanwhile some areas have been fluoridated for 30 years – some people in those areas have already started deducting the costs of alternative supplies. An interesting situation for the Government the SHAs and the water companies.

ASNUK is to be represented at a FSA Interactive Day in March where there will be the opportunity to put our case for:
1. Labelling on packaging of food additives that are already identified by Government scientists as
having adverse health effects.
2. Listings (via the FSA website) of UK food (and health) interest, support and campaign groups with contact details. Perhaps also in booklet form for libraries and other key locations.
3. The need for the FSA to have an open mechanism whereby the public and health professionals
can report case histories of adverse effects of additives to the FSA via their website and for the FSA to investigate, monitor and commission research on such additives.
The FSA publicity material for this meeting stated as one of its principal aims:
“to strengthen networks with and between the smaller consumer organisations”. Interestinly this represents one layer of interaction with the FSA. There are other consumer groupings that have been supported by the FSA eg Foodaware (see www.foodaware.org.uk) which is billed as “the Consumers’ Food Group.


INTERESTING POINTS
1. Cider’s Unnamed Sweeteners
ASNUK has noted that one brand of cider on sale with just “Contains Sugar and Sweeteners” with no indication of how much sugar and which artificial sweeteners. It is believed that this is currently within the law but obviously something to be aware of.
2. Sweeteners Abroad
France – a sharp eyed ASNUK researcher reports that aspartame (and other sweeteners) are prominent in supermarkets – in chewing gum in particular, in chocolate and fizzy and still drinks.
There has been interaction between a representative of ASNUK and a French national regarding networking in France and translating information – ASNUK is pleased to help such individual initiatives.
3. Product News
ASNUK has spied the products of two processed food manufacturers who are proud to put SUGAR FREE and SWEETENER FREE on their products – one product is Danone’s Shape yoghurt (which ran with TV advertising support in 2003) and the other was imported peaches in their own juice from an Australian supplier, similarly James White Drinks have been promoting their Lemon Refresher – “a natural still lemonade – sweetened with freshly pressed apple juice.
www.GoodnessDirect.co.uk run a comprehensive specialist mail order service catering for lactose intolerance, coeliac condition, egg allergy, dairy free, wheat or yeast allergies, etc
4. Courses – The Institute of Optimum Nutrition runs a variety of course including one for Nutritional Therapists – see www.ion.ac.uk
5. Websites – Take a look at the new European level organisation www.efsa.eu.int that is NOT just a European-type of Food Standards Agency.
6. Staying with Europe – in October 2003 the European Parliament finally voted down a proposal (amongst other amendments to Sweeteners egislatio) for aspartame to be re-evaluated looking at the history of the approval processes. However it did decide to:
'Within two years of the entry into force of this directive, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council outlining the progress made in the re-evaluations of additives under way and setting out a provisional calendar for future re-evaluations, especially those for salt of aspartame-acesulfame and sucralose. These re-evaluations shall be carried out on the basis of consumer data supplied by the Member States and shall take account of the effects of additives on vulnerable population groups.'

MEDIA COVERAGE
There has been extensive general coverage over the last few months with much anguishing over diabetes, heart disease, obesity (particularly in children); advertising aimed at children and ;junk food advertising. With the now publicly acknowledged need for healthy eating this could be interpreted by the general public as a need to avoid sugar and their being pressurised by adverts to go down the artificial sweeteners route. Now take a look at the following URL.The importing company below admit that sucralose is SYNTHETIC - their words!!!! This two pieces below on aspartame and sucralose (we haven’t corrected the typos) may not still be on their website, but we put them here for posterity.
1. URL http://www.scaansweet.com/news_letter.htm
2. Scroll down to "IN THE PAST" to read ....
*******************************************************************************
Aspartame
It has now and truly reached the status of commodity in many markets. The major producers, Ajinomoto, Holland Sweetener and Nutrasweet are still retaining a large portion of the world markets in the face of intense competition from China. Prices in the past year have hit $20-$22 kg to the major end user. China is trying to make inroads at $18 kg. However this is not a significant saving for bigger users who are on quantity rebates too.
Aspartame has come under a lot of pressure in recent times of having a negative image in health circles even though it has undergone many studies supporting its safe use in foods. There will be more pressure on it as the new sweetener sucralose makes in roads. Its saving grace will be economic as it is much more cost effective . Marketing startegies may be looking to move it out in favour of Sucralose.

Sucralose
The new sweetener gaining much news and interest from the market. It is promoted promoted as being made from sugar and tastes like sugar. It is really a synthetic sweetener let's be honest here . However despite its high price it is gaining popularity in marketing circles who want to be seen taking steps to move asparatme out of products.
*******************************************************************************

MEDIA COVERAGE (CONTINUED)
The media coverage has bristled backwards and forwards from print to radio to TV, to phone ins, write ins and then a flurry around the Consumer Association’s magazine Which? February issue off which has spun even more publicity. Incidentally it did have a mention about aspartame but decided to swiftly move away from saying anything more than dealing with the allegedly type of statements about claims of health problems. By the time the Times was reporting on that magazine article on 5th February, it had specifically put on aspartame: “Effects: linked to brain tumours, headaches, seizures and dizziness.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE US
Dr Roberts published this warning in mid February 2004 regarding soda pop – or rather fizzy drinks as we would say over here:

WARNING: SCHOOL CHILDREN AT RISK!

The momentum for reducing the amount of soda pop consumed by children, especially from dispensing machines at schools, has increased. It is justified by the documented contribution of the sugar therein to serious disorders, especially obesity and neuropsychiatric problems.
Imaginative entrepreneurs now seek to substitute an array of palatable "sugar free," "caffeine free," and "calorie free" drinks having appealing brand names. They plan to actively promote them to students and school systems, using celebrities such as professional athletes as pitchmen.
Unfortunately, there is a major public health problem when aspartame is the sweetening agent. I have repeatedly stated my professional opinion, based on the scores in my data base of aspartame reactors, that infants and children should not take aspartame products – including beverages, foods, vitamins, drugs, gum and supplements.

Each of the components of this chemical (phenylalanine; aspartic acid; the methyl ester, which promptly becomes free methyl alcohol) and their multiple breakdown products can damage the developing brain.
Aspartame-induced disorders in children include headache, confusion, convulsions, irritability, depression, intellectual deterioration, antisocial behavior, rashes, asthma and unstable diabetes. Addiction to aspartame products also has become a problem. The details appear in my publications, especially Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic (www.sunsentpress.com).
There also are reservations about the long term use of sucralose, another popular sweetening agent, in these substitute drinks because of the adverse effects noted in animal studies.
In view of this perceived imminent public health threat, physicians, other health care professionals, school boards and consumer advocates have an obligation to monitor and guide their communities regarding such exposure of
children. They can expect formidable corporate and bureaucratic resistance, particularly from the FDA and groups supported by this huge industry.
H. J. Roberts, M.D., FACP, FCCP
Palm Beach Institute for Medical Research, West Palm Beach, Florida
hjrobertsmd@aol.com

ASNUK comment: we’re pleased to know about the fight back happening in the States – it’s happening here with such companies as The Green Machine and the Water is Cool in School Campaign. Such initiatives are encouraging. For more information contact David Berney, Organic & Natural Food Co, Tel: 020 8971 0055 or e-mail david@organicnatural.com

For a full account of this company see http://www.smilechild.co.uk/magazine/generator.asp?article=33

There are other organisations eg SNAG (School Nutrition Action Group) see the Health Education Trust website for this www.healthedtrust.com

HOW TO CONTACT ASNUK

Geoff Brewer, National Co-ordinator, ASNUK, 63 Downlands Road, DEVIZES, Wilts SN10 5EF
Email: geoffbrewer@eurobell.co.uk

ASNUK Scottish Co-ordinator: Joanna Clarke, 35 Hamilton Drive, Glasgow, G12 8DW

HOW TO JOIN ASNUK

Write (enclose LARGE SAE) or email for our Introductory Fact Sheet and Membership/Registration Form

DISCLAIMER

ASNUK acts in good faith in providing this information. However, do not stop taking any medication prescribed for you before consulting your doctor. Always address your concerns to your General Practitioner about ingestion of chemical additives in food, particularly if you have symptoms that are worrying you.

PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE

>Hi,
>
>I am going to gather medical information regarding my daughter and send it
>to you.
>
>We live in Aurora, C0. We have a daughter that is 12 years old. She had
>seizures which we suspect was from aspartame. I was “dieting” and buying
>diet pop, light yogurt, etc…. During the summer months the consumption
>was higher because we would go camping and boating and she would drink
>flavored water with aspartame, diet pop, eat light yogurt etc.. and she
>began having seizures in approximately the summer of 1998, and summer
>1999. The Doctors ran every test possible and could not come up with a
>reason for the seizures. They put her on Tegretol(sp). A friend of mine
>sent me the article on aspartame poisoning a few years ago and it said it
>can cause seizures in children. I immediately stopped all her consumption
>of diet products. I asked the Doctor if I could take her off of the
>seizure medication and she hesitated and said if she had a seizure she
>needed to go back on it immediately. After stopping her consumption of
>Aspartame she has never had another seizure. HOWEVER, she has
>hypothyroidism now, which I have read can be caused by Aspartame. Also,
>for the past (4) four years or so she has had reoccurring neck tumors
>called Pleomorphic Adenoma. She has now had four surgeries. The most
>recent was August 2004, and Jan 11th, 2005. During her surgery last
>week the Doctor found (8) eight tumors.
>
>We are beginning to wonder if the Aspartame caused these tumors.
>
>I need to call the Doctors and get exact dates on the seizures, etc… and
>then I will send it to you.
>
>Have you heard of Aspartame causing neck tumors?
>
>Thank you for your time.
>
>Lorie

Dear Lori, At 11:34 PM 1/15/2005, lorie wrote:
>I'm so sosrry to hear about your daughter. Yes, aspartame is a seizure
>triggering drug. If you go to www.dorway.com you will note on the FDA
>report of 92 symptoms, 4 types of seizures are noted. Also, read the RAO
>study, a 52 week oral toxicity study, where they fed 7 infant monkeys
>aspartame. Five had grand mal seizures and one died.

Also, to make matters worse, in Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic,
www.sunsentpress.com or 1 800 827 7991, there is a chapter on drug
interaction. Aspartame interacts with Dilantin and like anti-seizure
medication. There is also a chapter on seizures.

The molecule breaks down to diketopiperazine, a brain tumor agent, and
besides brain tumors triggered mammary, uterine, ovarian, testicular,
pancreatic and thyroid tumors.

Aspartame also can trigger hyper and hypothroidism. Go to www.wnho.net and
click on aspartame. You'll see by neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock, M.D. a
paper titled What To Do If You Have Used Aspartame. This will give you
some good information and has Dr. Blaylock's books on the subject.

There is also a class action and you can send your case report to Keith
Silverstein (ksilverstein@shslawpro.com) having to do with the seizures.

These experts mentioned can be seen in the new aspartame documentary, Sweet
Misery: A Poisoned World, contact cori@soundandfuryproductions.com .

If you want to stay in touch we now have an Aspartame Information List
which you can subscribe to. At the top of the aspartame page on
www.wnho.net it tells you how.

All my best,
Betty