Today in one of our Dutch newspapers (De Telegraaf) the artificial sweetener Aspartame is being scrutinized. In EU parliament, the United Left Party (the Dutch MP Kartika Liotard) stresses since 2005, that the effects of the artificial sweetener aspartame must be thoroughly researched.
Danish research (Thorhaller Halldorsson) among 60.000 pregnant women shows a connection between the consumption of softdrinks and premature baby's.
Besides there are indications that aspartame increases the prevalence of cancer. An italian oncologist Morando Soffritti signalled an increased prevalence of liver- and lungcancer in mice exposed to aspartame during their entire life.

Still the EFSA (European Food Authorities) estimates a daily intake of aspartame of 40 milligrams aspartame per kilogram bodyweight as safe.
40 milligrams equals 7 glasses of softdrinks for a child of 25 kilograms. For a person of 30 and 50 kilos, 8 till 13 glasses are 'acceptable'! When you are more than 65 kilos you can drink 17 glasses of light/softdrinks!!

Still the United Left Party will go on with her quest for more research: It is unnacceptable that aspartame is omnipresent in our food and drinks. New research must be done! Food and drink must be guaranteed of high standard.

So far the article in the newspaper this morning.

I reacted to this article that I am glad that finally Aspartame is being scrutinized also here in EU! Aspartame as well as the cheap sugar High Fructose Corn Syrup are dangerous to our health. HFCS contributes to obesity, diabetes and more.
A wake up call to start read ingredient labels.
Because you ARE what you eat, so know WHAT you eat!

A wake up call in fact to all of us:
If we do not want foods with dangerous ingredients anymore: Don't buy those products anymore! We, as consumers, do have the power to stop the big foodfirms from degrading our health. Eat your foods as fresh, organic as possible. And buy it locally. I am convinced that we all must go back to a more slower pace of life in order to stay healthy in body and mind.
The only way to provide a healthy future for ourselves and our children.