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Aspartame

Stephen Barrett, M.D.

Question

An email message is being circulated with many statements to the effect that aspartame is dangerous. How worried should I be?.

Answer

Not at all. The message is pure rubbish. The following Web sources have reliable information:

• About.com has posted an excellent rebuttal to the e-mail message, which it considers an "urban legend."
• A Multiple Sclerosis Foundation medical advisor has labeled the message "rapidly misleading and scandalous."
• FDA Consumer has published an article reaffirming the safety of sugar substitutes.
• The Aspartame Information Service, sponsored by Ajinomoto, a leading maker of aspartame, has science-based reports.