Nexus - 0301 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

experiments conducted by Searle were a “disaster”. She said that her team was instructed not to comment on or be concemed with the overall validity of the studies. She stated that questions about birth defects have not been answered. She continued her testimo- ny by discussing the fact that DKP has been shown to increase uterine polyps and change blood cholesterol, and that increasing the temperature of the product leads to an increase in production of DKP.** “positions with mpanie had peda ea aso ee _over 150 FDA officials owned sto! drug campantes they were addy es _ Manager: REVOLVING DOORS The FDA and the manufacturers of aspartame have had a revolving door of employment for many years. In addition to the FDA Commissioner and two US attomeys leaving to take posi- tions with companies connected with G. D. Searle, four other FDA officials connected with the approval of aspartame took positions connected with the NutraSweet industry between 1979 and 1982, including the Deputy FDA Commissioner, the Special Assistant to the FDA Commissioner, the Associate Director of the Bureau of Foods and Toxicology, and the attorney involved with the Public Board of Inquiry.” It is important to realise that this type of revolving-door activity has been going on for decades. The Townsend Letter for Doctors (11/92) reported on a study revealing that 37 of 49 top FDA offi- cials who left the FDA took positions with companies they had regulated. They also reported that over 150 FDA officials owned stock in drug companies they were assigned to manage. VUMICUICU WILL LUG INU AO WOUL MUUOU UeLee Bere a deve including the Deputy FDA Commissioner, the Special Assistant to Many organisations and universities reeeive large sums of the FDA Commissioner, the Associate Director of the Bureau of | money from companies connected to The NutraSweet Association, Foods and Toxicology, and the attorney involved with the Public a group of companies promoting the use of aspartame. In January Board of Inquiry.” 1993, the American Dietetic Association received a US$75,000 It is important to realise that this type of revolving-door activity grant from The NutraSweet Company. The American Dietetic has been going on for decades. The Townsend Letter for Doctors _ Association has stated that The NutraSweet Company writes their (11/92) reported on a study revealing that 37 of 49 top FDA offi- “facts” sheets.” Many other ‘independent’ organisations and cials who left the FDA took positions with companies they had researchers receive large sums of money from the manufacturers regulated. They also reported that over 150 FDA officials owned of aspartame. The American Diabetes Association received a stock in drug companies they were assigned to manage. large amount of money from NutraSweet, including money to Tun a cooking school in Chicago (presumably to teach diabetics how to use NutraSweet in their cooking). ° A researcher in New England who pointed out the dangers of aspartame in the past is now a Monsanto consultant. Another researcher in the south-eastern US testified about the dangers of aspartame on ‘foe- tuses. An investigative reporter was told to keep'his mouth shut to avoid causing the loss of a large grant from a diet cola manufacturer in the NutraSweet Association. What is the FDA doing to protect the consumer from the dangers of aspartame? Less than nothing. In 1992, the FDA approved aspartame for use in malt beverages, breakfast cereals and refrigerated puddings and fillings. In 1993, the FDA approved aspartame for use in hard and soft candies, non-alco- holic flavoured beverages, tea beverages, fruit juices - and concentrates, baked goods and baking mixes, and frostings, toppings and fillings for baked goods. In 1991, the FDA banned the importation of stevia. The powder of the leaf has been used for hundreds of years as an altemative sweetener. It is used widely in Japan with no adverse effects. Scientists involved in reviewing stevia have declared it to be safe for human consumption—something which has been well-known in many parts of the world where it is not banned. Everyone that I have spoken with in regard to this issue believes that stevia was banned to keep the product from taking hold in the US and cut- ting into sales of aspartame.” What is the US Congress doing to protect the con- sumer from the dangers of aspartame? Nothing. What is the US Administration (President) doing to protect the consumer from the dangers of aspar- tame? Nothing. Aspartame consumption is not only a problem in the USA. It is being sold in over 70 countries throughout the world. NEXUS ¢ 33 DECEMBER 1995 - JANUARY 1996