RoomForAll

This news is provided by: Breaking News On Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Indonesia consults on aspartame, sweetener use in food
By Dominique Patton

1/9/2007 - The Indonesian government is currently reviewing its laws on artificial sweeteners and will consider banning them from food if expert evidence suggests they present health risks, according to a report.

"We may remove artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame saccharin and cyclamate, from the Health Ministry's decree ... about allowable food additives," Husniah R.T. Akib, head of the country's food and drug authority (BPOM) told the Jakarta Post.

"We are looking at the various opinions around the world on these sweeteners. If stakeholders and people believe those three substitutes are health hazards, we will ban them," Husniah said.

The three sweeteners are permitted in food in the European Union and Codex Alimentarius, a set of internationally recognized food standards, also recognizes their safety.

However within the Asia-Pacific region, Japan has banned aspartame and cyclamate while Malaysia prohibits cyclamate.
[ Note by Rich Murray: I have found no evidence that Japan has ever banned aspartame. ]

The use of aspartame as a sweetener was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981.

But animal studies that were claimed to show a carcinogenic effect threw the sweetener's safety into doubt.

These have however been criticized by several toxicologists and the EU food authority confirmed its safety last year.

It is now the second most widely used artificial sweetener, after saccharin, contained in about 6,000 food products worldwide.

Both cyclamate and saccharin have also been linked to controversy, both banned by the FDA after studies linking it to cancer in animals but the FDA lifted its ban on saccharin in 1991.

The review in Indonesia is being carried out by the BPOM as well as the health and trade ministries and university experts.

The food and beverage industry, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and several consumer groups are also involved in the process, according to the report.

It is expected to be completed later this month.

"In addition to Codex Alimentarius, we also refer to world agencies such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the FDA," Husniah told the paper.

The BPOM has already approved the sweeteners acesulfame-K, alitame, neotame and sucralose.


www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20070109.H06&irec=5
  
Govt may ban aspartame in food

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government is currently reviewing regulations allowing the use of several controversial sweeteners in food products sold in Indonesia.

The review, which forms part of a decades-long worldwide debate on use of three particular sweeteners -- aspartame, saccharin and cyclamate -- is expected to be completed later this month.

"We may remove artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin and cyclamate, from the Health Ministry's decree ... about allowable food additives," said Drug and Food Monitoring Agency (BPOM) head Husniah R.T. Akib.

The review will receive input from the BPOM, the Health Ministry, the State Ministry for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, the Industry Ministry and the Trade Ministry, as well as experts from universities and non-government organizations.

The food and beverage industry, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and several consumer groups are also involved in the process.

"We are looking at the various opinions around the world on these sweeteners. If stakeholders and people believe those three substitutes are health hazards, we will ban them," Husniah said.

"We, the regulators, don't have any problems with the possible ban. The industries unfortunately will," she added.

BPOM data shows Codex Alimentarius -- a set of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety -- as well as the European Union and Britain still allow the use of the three sweeteners in food production and consumption.

In Asia, Japan and Malaysia do not allow use of the sweeteners.

Japan bans aspartame and cyclamate while Malaysia only prohibits cyclamate.
[ Note by Rich Murray: I have found no evidence that Japan has ever banned aspartame. ]

"In addition to Codex Alimentarius, we also refer to world agencies such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the FDA," Husniah said.

"There is no way can we do research on every one of the two million products in the country. We only monitor products available in markets," she added.

University experts said studies on aspartame and other artificial sweeteners in Indonesia were rare.

The use of aspartame as a sweetener was allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States for the first time in 1981. This decision came under question, however, with the release of studies finding aspartame to be carcinogenic.

Cyclamate was discovered in 1937 and recognized as safe for consumption in the U.S. by 1958. However, it was banned by the FDA in 1969 when reports surfaced linking it with cancer.

Likewise, the use of saccharin has also been disputed. Canada banned it in 1977 after a study found the prevalence of bladder cancer in rats that had been fed large doses of the sweetener. The FDA also imposed a ban, though lifted it in 1991.

"Doubts about aspartame among FDA scientists were overruled by the FDA's management and it was given approval. Many countries soon followed suit and approved aspartame on the basis of the same flawed studies," Roger Williams, a British parliamentarian, told the The Guardian on Dec. 15, 2005.

A 1996 review of past research conducted on aspartame found that every industry-funded study had said the sweetener was safe to consume. However 92 percent of independent studies claim one or more problems exist with its use, the British newspaper reported.

Other artificial sweeteners currently approved by the BPOM include acesulfame-K, alitame, neotame and sucralose, as well as natural substances such as isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol and lactitol.


On May 17, 2006 Minister of Health Dr. Siti Fadilah Supari inaugurated Dr. Husniah Rubiana Thamrin Akib as the new Chairman of National Agency for Drug and Food Control.

National Agency for Drug and Food Control,  (BPOM) , Indonesia
Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan
Jl. Percetakan Negara No.23 - Jakarta 10560 Indonesia
Telp: (021) 4259945, Fax: (021) 42889117, Email: Informasi@pom.go.id
www.pom.go.id/ - 51k - Jan 8, 2007
http://www.pom.go.id/e_default.asp  English, loads slowly...

http://www.depkes.go.id/en/index_en.htm


http://www.embassyofindiajakarta.org/Pharmaceutical_mkt_survey.pdf

The Market for Pharmaceutical Products and Materials in Indonesia
Prepared by PT DATA CONSULT  July 2004

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Objectives And Scope Of The Study
This report was prepared based on the terms of
Commercial office of the Indian Embassy in Jakarta.
The objectives of the study are to provide market information and guidelines for Indian businessmen, government officials and others penetrating the market for pharmaceuticals in Indonesia.

9. Director of Rational Medicine Application :
Dr. Husniah Rubiana Thamrin Akib
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Blok X-5 Kav. 4-9, 6th floor Block B
Jakarta Pusat
Phone - (021) 5201590 (hunting) ext. 6309
Website : www.depkes.go.id
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Correction: China tightens control on saccharin production (not aspartame), Dominique Patton, Lorraine Heller, www.FoodNavigator.com :  Murray 2006.07.24
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1360

[ the same story with "aspartame" substituted for "saccharin"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1357
China to restrict aspartame production and sale, three major agencies, five producers www.FoodIngredientsFirst.com : Murray 2006.07.16 ]

www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=69203-china-tightens-control China tightens control on saccharin production By Dominique Patton 18/07/2006
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1379
short aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde) toxicity research summary: Murray 2007.01.09

"Of course, everyone chooses, as a natural priority, to actively find, quickly share, and positively act upon the facts about healthy and safe food, drink, and environment."

Rich Murray, MA  Room For All  rmforall@comcast.net
505-501-2298  1943 Otowi Road   Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
group with 76 members, 1,398 posts in a public, searchible archive
http://RMForAll.blogspot.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1340
aspartame groups and books: updated research review of 2004.07.16: Murray 2006.05.11


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1395
Aspartame Controversy, in Wikipedia democratic encyclopedia, 72 references (including AspartameNM # 864 and 1173 by Murray),  brief fair summary of much more research: Murray 2007.01.01


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1385
Coca-Cola carcinogenicity in rats, Ramazzini Foundation, F Belpoggi, M Soffritti, Annals NY Academy Sciences 2006 Sept, parts of 17 pages: Murray 2006.12.02

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1382
Fiorella Belpoggi & Morando Soffritti of Ramazzini Foundation prove lifetime carcinogenicity of Coca-Cola, aspartame, and arsenic, Annals of the NY Academy of Sciences: Murray 2006.11.28

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1383 aspartame

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1384 arsenic


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1376
soft drinks and adolescent hyperactivity, mental distress, conduct problems, Lars Lien, Nanna Lien, Sonja Heyerdahl, Mayne Thoresen, Espen Bjertness 2006 Oct., A J Pub Health: Murray 2006.10.21

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1375
healthy diet, vitamins, and fish oil help reduce depression and violence, studies by Joseph Hibbeln, Bernard Gesch, and Stephen Schoenthaler, articles by Felicity Lawrence in UK Guardian Unlimited and Pat Thomas in The Ecologist: Murray 2006.10.21


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1378
11 members of New Mexico legislature sign letter to ban aspartame as a source of toxic methanol and formaldehyde, Stephen Fox, NM Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino: Murray 2006.10.22

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1374
47 UK Members of Parliament now support aspartame ban initiative of Roger Williams, MP: Murray 2006.10.16


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1366
toxicity in rat brains from aspartame, Vences-Mejia A, Espinosa-Aguirre JJ et al 2006 Aug: Murray 2006.09.06

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1373
aspartame rat brain toxicity re cytochrome P450 enzymes, expecially CYP2E1, Vences-Mejia A, Espinosa-Aguirre JJ et al, 2006 Aug, Hum Exp Toxicol: relevant abstracts re formaldehyde from methanol in alcohol drinks: Murray 2006.09.29


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1271
combining aspartame and quinoline yellow, or MSG and brilliant blue, harms nerve cells, eminent C. Vyvyan Howard et al, 2005 education.guardian.co.uk, Felicity Lawrence: Murray 2005.12.21

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1277
50% UK baby food is now organic -- aspartame or MSG with food dyes harm nerve cells, CV Howard 3 year study funded by Lizzy Vann, CEO, Organix Brands, Children's Food Advisory Service: Murray 2006.01.13

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1279
all three aspartame metabolites harm human erythrocyte [red blood cell] membrane enzyme activity, KH Schulpis et al, two studies in 2005, Athens, Greece, 2005.12.14: 2004 research review, RL Blaylock: Murray 2006.01.14

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1369
Bristol, Connecticut, schools join state program to limit artificial sweeteners, sugar, fats for 8800 students, Johnny J Burnham, The Bristol Press: Murray 2006.09.22

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1341
Connecticut bans artificial sweeteners in schools, Nancy Barnes, New Milford Times: Murray 2006.05.25

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1353
carcinogenic effect of inhaled formaldehyde, Federal Institute of Risk Assessment, Germany -- same safe level as for Canada: Murray 2006.06.02

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1352
Home sickness -- indoor air often worse, as our homes seal in pollutants [one is formaldehyde, also from the 11% methanol part of aspartame], Megan Gillis, WinnipegSun.com: Murray 2006.06.01


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1349
NIH NLM ToxNet HSDB Hazardous Substances Data Bank inadequate re aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid): Murray 2006.08.19

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~HwoSfJ:1
HSDB  Hazardous Substances Data Bank: Aspartame

ASPARTAME   CASRN: 22839-47-0
METHANOL  CASRN: 67-56-1
FORMALDEHYDE   CASRN: 50-00-0
FORMIC ACID  CASRN: 64-18-6


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1052
DMDC: Dimethyl dicarbonate 200mg/L in drinks adds methanol 98 mg/L ( becomes formaldehyde in body ):  EU Scientific Committee on Foods 2001.07.12:  Murray 2004.01.22


http://www.HolisticMed.com/aspartame    mgold@holisticmed.com
Aspartame Toxicity Information Center    Mark D. Gold
12 East Side Drive #2-18 Concord, NH 03301     603-225-2100

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/abuse/methanol.html
"Scientific Abuse in Aspartame Research"

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/957
safety of aspartame Part 1/2 12.4.2: EC HCPD-G SCF:
Murray 2003.01.12 rmforall  EU Scientific Committee on Food, a whitewash

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1045
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/scf2002-response.htm
Mark Gold exhaustively critiques European Commission Scientific Committee on Food re aspartame ( 2002.12.04 ): 59 pages, 230 references

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1371
Russell L. Blaylock, MD discusses MSG, aspartame, excitotoxins with Mike Adams: Murray 2006.09.27

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1372
Mike Adams interviews Randall Fitzgerald on "The Hundred Year Lie: How Food and Medicine are Destroying Your Health" 2006.06.21: Murray 2006.09.28
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/782
RTM: Smith, Terpening, Schmidt, Gums: full text: aspartame, MSG, fibromyalgia 2002.01.17
Jerry D Smith, Chris M Terpening,
Siegfried OF Schmidt, and John G Gums
Relief of Fibromyalgia Symptoms Following Discontinuation of Dietary Excitotoxins.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2001; 35(6): 702-706.
Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
Gainesville, FL, USA.
BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatologic disorder that is often difficult to treat effectively.
CASE SUMMARY: Four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome for two to 17 years are described.
All had undergone multiple treatment modalities with limited success.
All had complete, or nearly complete, resolution of their symptoms within months after eliminating monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MSG plus aspartame from their diet.
All patients were women with multiple comorbidities
prior to elimination of MSG.
All have had recurrence of symptoms whenever MSG is ingested.

Siegfried O. Schmidt, MD Asst. Clinical Prof. siggy@shands.ufl.edu
Community Health and Family Medicine, U. Florida, Gainesville, FL
Shands Hospital West Oak Clinic Gainesville, FL 32608-3629
352-376-5071
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