Sweeteners :: essays research papers fc

SweetenersSaccharin is an organic petroleum-based compound that is three to fivehundred clock sweeter than sucrose. It is non-nutritive because the humanbody is unable to metabolize the foreign chemical. Saccharin does not hand calories for this reason it is commonly used in diet foods. "The obese feel that saccharin is their life line to slimdom, anddiabetics claim it is essential to control their blood sugar" (Brody482). The same people who bring saccharin certainly would not knowinglyeat something that is classified as toxicant waste however, they do it on adaily basis. Saccharins alias is EPA idle Waste number U202. Infact, workers who handle saccharin are cautioned, "EXERCISE cod CARE. AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN, CLOTHING. WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING. IF SWALLOWED, IF CONCIOUS, IMMEDIATELY buzz off VOMITING" (MSDS).Saccharin has always been surrounded by controversy. As early as 1907,the public was concerned over its safety and proposed banning it. T heodore Roosevelt, a diabetic, fought the idea. He said, "My doctorgives it to me every day...Anybody who says saccharin is injurious tohealth is an idiot"(Corcoran 12). Saccharin survived the onslaught for other forty years. It wasnt until the bittersweet chemical hit themainstream consumer market in much(prenominal) things as diet sodas, pharmaceuticals,and chewing gum that it came under fire again. Scientists suggested thatsaccharin energy be a carcinogen in 1951. In 1958, however, saccharin wasadded to the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list, other paradox. In 1972, the results of a long-term analyze showed that rats fed saccharinhad developed vesica tumors. Subsequently, the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) removed saccharin from GRAS status and issued a commandment limiting the use of saccharin in foods. Then in 1974, a field of study Academy of Science review found that, "Saccharin itself could notbe set as the cause of the tumors because of possible i mpurities aswell as problems with data-based design and procedures" (Kennedy 131). Therefore, the FDA decided not to ban saccharin until they received theresults of a study being conducted in Canada.In March 1977, the Canadian study showed that victuals large doses ofsaccharin to pregnant rats and their weanlings produced bladder cancers inthe male offspring. The Canadians immediately tabu saccharin. When theFDA announced its intentions to follow suit, public outcry led to a carnal knowledgeionally voted eighteen-month moratorium. The American peoplewanted more time to evaluate the results of the study. Shortlythereafter, Congress enacted the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act, whichstayed the FDAs hand temporarily and ordered a warning give chase on allsaccharin products "Use of this product may be precarious to your health.