Sweetener manufacturer disputes validity of new health research
· Study links aspartame with cancers
· Ingredient used in more than 6,000 products

Felicity Lawrence
Friday September 30, 2005
The Guardian

Aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in more than 6,000 food and drink products around the world, is the subject of renewed controversy this week after the results of the latest research into whether it can cause cancer.

Scientists at the independent European Ramazzini Foundation for cancer research in Bologna presented new results from its long-term, large-scale study of the effect of aspartame on 1,800 rats, at its international conference on cancer and environmental sciences in Italy last week.

The research centre said analysis of its latest results showed aspartame caused cancer of the kidney, and of the peripheral nerves, mainly in the head. Earlier data from the same study published in July linked aspartame to an increased risk of leukaemias and lymphomas in female lab rats "at doses very close to the acceptable daily intake for humans".

Full Article: http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,7890,1581641,00.html