more UK Stores urged to ban artificial additives [and aspartame] in children's food, Rebecca Smithers, The Guardian Unlimited, also bottled mineral water is now out-selling cola in London: Murray 2007.05.09

more UK Stores urged to ban artificial additives [and aspartame] in
children's food, Rebecca Smithers, The Guardian Unlimited, also
bottled mineral water is now out-selling cola in London: Murray
2007.05.09
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1423

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/st...074372,00.html

Stores urged to ban artificial additives in children's food

Retailers review policies as campaigners welcome Sainsbury's move

Rebecca Smithers, consumer affairs correspondent
Tuesday May 8, 2007 The Guardian Unlimited

Pressure is growing on supermarkets and retailers
to ban artificial colours and flavourings from food and drink
consumed by children,
with most leading retailers reviewing their policies
in the face of mounting consumer concern.

Sainsbury's will next month become the first major supermarket chain
to ban artificial colours and flavourings from its own-label soft
drinks.

The chain says the ban -- in force from June 1 -- is the result of
"overwhelming" demand from parents concerned about E number additives
and artificial flavours and their possible links
with hyperactivity and behaviour problems among children,
as well as allergies and breathing problems.

Other supermarkets and retailers are likely to follow,
amid growing public concern about the health risks of artificial
ingredients.

Britain's biggest supermarket, Tesco,
and Marks & Spencer are both moving
to phase them out where they are still being used.

In the biggest single move of its kind Sainsbury's ban
will apply to its entire range of more than 120 own-brand drinks --
soft and fizzy drinks, squash and cordials,
as well as mixers for use with alcohol, such as tonic water.

Sainsbury's is replacing aspartame with sucralose,
a low-calorie sweetener made from sugar.

It is also removing the widely used artificial colouring
sulphite ammonia caramel (E150d) from its cola drinks,
replacing it with barley malt extract.

Sainsbury's said the chemicals will generally be replaced by natural
colours
and fruit and vegetable extracts,
while flavourings will be from named fruits and other natural sources.

Marks & Spencer said none of its soft drinks contain aspartame --
it uses sucralose in diet soft drinks -- or artificial flavouring,
while all its soft drinks except colas contain natural colours.

It is working to remove the one remaining artificial colour from its
colas.

It said it had banned more than half the additives permitted by the
EU,
particularly those associated with concerns about food intolerance
and children's diets including monosodium glutamate (MSG), cyclamates
and tartrazine.

Its children's range of ready meals do not contain
added preservatives, artificial colours, flavourings or sweeteners,
and the permitted additives used in the range had been agreed
with the Hyperactive Children's Support Group (HCSG).

Tesco said in a statement:
"We have a couple of fruit-flavoured fizzy drinks
which contain artificial additives that will be removed by the summer.

We use natural, fruit-based sweeteners in all of our drinks
that are labelled for children or are in our 'kids' range.

"We have had an 'additives hit-list' for more than 20 years
and in particular target colours and additives highlighted
by the HCSG ...
we are conducting a review regarding 'nature identical' additives in
our drinks."

The founder of the HCSG, Sally Bunday,
said Sainsbury's move was "fantastic news ...
This is an important public health issue which manufacturers
can no longer brush under the carpet.

We hope that this announcement from Sainsbury's
will lead other soft drink manufacturers and supermarkets to follow
suit."

The HCSG is putting together a research project
scrutinising the policies of supermarkets on artificial colours and
flavourings,
which will be published later this month.

Lizzy Vann, of the Organix range of babyfoods, said:
"We would like to see more supermarkets and manufacturers
launching an outright ban on additives in children's food ...

The fact is that small children are being subjected to all sorts of
ingredients
that we just don't know enough about --

they are being unfairly experimented on and their body mass
also means that ... they are absorbing relatively large quantities."


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/1278
Hyperactive Children's Support Group, researchers and related groups,
Alexandra J. Richardson and Paul Montgomery, Pediatrics 2005 May,
fatty acids help heal nerve disorders in kids: Murray 2006.01.13

http://www.hacsg.org.uk/
Hyperactive Children's Support Group (HCSG)
If you need more information on the content of this website,
please don't hesitate to contact the HACSG. You can do so in various
ways.

By writing to us, enclosing a large SAE (stamped addressed envelope)
with your queries to:

Dept W., The Hyperactive Children's Support Group,
71 Whyke lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 7PD
hyperactive@hacsg.org.uk,

or by sending us an email message by clicking on this link
hacsg@hacsg.org.uk,

We will send you a free Initial Information Pack
whether you have already decided to join the HACSG or not.

We do not have a Helpline, but if you feel you need to talk urgently
to someone about your problem, you're welcome to call us on
01243 539966 and we will do our best to help you.

Workshops are tailor made to your needs & can be from 2-4 hours.
Groups of 12 to 24 people are
recommended.

To discuss your requirements call: 020 8544 1100
or email: workshophacsg@aol.com

Dr. P.J. Barlow, MSc., PhD., MIEH.,Lecturer in Food Safety & Nutrition

Dr. Eric Millstone, Science policy Research Unit.
e.p.millstone@sussex.ac.uk,

C. Peter W. Bennett, BA(Hons), MA(Oxon), MBA(Aston) Consultant in
Policing & Criminal Prosecution.

Dr. Michael Radcliffe, MB., ChB., MRCGP., General Practitioner.
michael@radcliffe.net,

Prof. Derek Bryce-Smith, PhD., DSc., CChem., FRIC.Emeritus Professor
of Organic Chemistry

Dr. Vicky Rippere, BA., MA., PhD., BSc., MPhil.

Dr. Peter Northcote-Dale, Education Consultant.

Dr. Stephen Davies MA., BM., BCb., Nutritional Medicine

Dr. Damien Downing, MBSS, Nutritional Medicine

Dr. Neil Ward, BSc., MSc.(Hons), PhD., Senior Lecturer in Analytical
Chemistry. Surrey University. HACSG Research Director.
N.Ward@surrey.ac.uk,

Dr. John McClaren Howard DSc., FACN., Clinical Biochemist.
info@biolab.co.uk,

http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/ an excellent group
These web pages provide:
independent information about the effects of food on behaviour,
health and learning ability in both children and adults.
support for families using a low-chemical elimination diet free of
additives, low in salicylates, amines and flavour enhancers (FAILSAFE)
for health, behaviour and learning problems.
Food Intolerance Network, Sue Dengate sdengate@ozemail.com.au
http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/biodata.htm

Special reports

What's wrong with our food?
The BSE crisis
The GM food debate
Foot and mouth disease

Case studies
10.05.2003: The Tullbergs
10.05.2003: The McRaes
10.05.2003: The Braithwaites
10.05.2003: The Bowers
10.05.2003: Sabeena Uttam
10.05.2003: Joan Harris

Useful links

Food Standards Agency
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Slow Food movement
Sustain - alliance for better food and farming
Which?

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/...s/profile.html
[ photo ]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,3...103526,00.html

Fizzy drinks giving way to water and juice

Rebecca Smithers, consumer affairs correspondent
Wednesday March 7, 2007

Guardian

Bottled mineral water is now out-selling cola in London,
a report reveals today,
and health conscious consumers are helping to fuel a continued growth
in the soft drinks market, opting increasingly for still products
such as water and juices rather than fizzy substitutes.

The research by the manufacturer Britvic finds pure juice
"sports" drinks and blended beverages known as smoothies
have shown the fastest percentage growth in the take-home sector.

And sales of water have risen by 11% to achieve £643m in sales.

Last year the sales of still soft drinks continued to grow faster
than fizzy soft drinks, with stills taking a 56% market share,
compared with 44% for their carbonated counterparts.

Overall the market grew in value by 7%, to reach total sales of £8.3bn
for drinks bought at shops as well as in pubs and restaurants.

Since 2001 annual consumption of soft drinks in the UK has risen by
22%.

In the take-home sector soft drinks continued to dominate as the
largest category, with £5.9bn in sales.

In pubs, bars and restaurants sales of soft drinks grew 5%,
faster than total alcoholic beverages, at 2%, to reach sales of
£2.4bn.

Londoners are driving the growth in smoothies and water,
with mineral water sales outstripping cola -- 26% of total sales as
opposed to 19% for cola.

The Scots consumed the largest volume of soft drinks annually, at 324
litres a household.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007

www.britvic.com/
With great brands like Robinsons, Tango, Pepsi
and of course the Britvic brand,
Britvic Soft Drinks is one of the two leading soft drinks businesses
in Great Britain. 0800 032 1767
Britvic Press Office 01245 261871 pressoffice@britvic.co.uk,
internationalenquiries@britvic.co.uk,
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


formaldehyde as a potent unexamined cofactor in cancer research --
sources include methanol, dark wines and liquors, aspartame, wood and
tobacco smoke: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks
to Humans implicate formaldehyde in #88 and alcohol drinks in #96:
some related abstracts: Murray 2007.05.08
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1417


aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde) toxicity research summary: Rich
Murray 2007.05.08
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1404

One liter aspartame diet soda, about 3 12-oz cans,
gives 61.5 mg methanol,
so if 30% is turned into formaldehyde, the formaldehyde
dose of 18.5 mg is 37 times the recent EPA limit of
0.5 mg per liter daily drinking water for a 10-kg child:
http://www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/F...de_summary.pdf
2007.01.05 [ does not discuss formaldehyde from methanol
or aspartame ]
http://www.epa.gov/teach/teachsurvey.html comments
teach@environmentalhealthconsulting.com


"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 74 members, 1,423 posts in a public, searchable 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/1422
aspartameNM now listed with 104,013 world groups at WiserEarth.org,
The Natural Capital Institute, Paul Hawken, Lamy, NM, who spoke to 800
in Santa Fe last night: Murray 2007.05.08


Dark wines and liquors, as well as aspartame, provide
similar levels of methanol, above 120 mg daily, for
long-term heavy users, 2 L daily, about 6 cans.

Within hours, methanol is inevitably largely turned into
formaldehyde, and thence largely into formic acid -- the
major causes of the dreaded symptoms of "next morning"
hangover.

Fully 11% of aspartame is methanol -- 1,120 mg aspartame
in 2 L diet soda, almost six 12-oz cans, gives 123 mg
methanol (wood alcohol). If 30% of the methanol is turned
into formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehyde, 37 mg,
is 18.5 times the USA EPA limit for daily formaldehyde in
drinking water, 2.0 mg in 2 L average daily drinking water.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1286
methanol products (formaldehyde and formic acid) are main
cause of alcohol hangover symptoms [same as from similar
amounts of methanol, the 11% part of aspartame]:
YS Woo et al, 2005 Dec: Murray 2006.01.20


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1143
methanol (formaldehyde, formic acid) disposition:
Bouchard M et al, full plain text, 2001: substantial
sources are degradation of fruit pectins, liquors,
aspartame, smoke: Murray 2005.04.02

"According to model predictions, congruent with the data in the
literature [Dorman et al., 1994; Horton et al., 1992], a certain
fraction of formaldehyde is readily oxidized to formate,
a major fraction of which is rapidly converted to CO2 and exhaled,
whereas a small fraction is excreted as formic acid in urine.

However, fits to the available data in rats and monkeys of Horton et
al. [1992] and Dorman et al. [1994] show that, once formed, a
substantial fraction of formaldehyde is converted to unobserved forms.

This pathway contributes to a long-term unobserved compartment.

The latter, most plausibly, represents either the formaldehyde that
[directly or after oxidation to formate] binds to various endogenous
molecules [Heck et al., 1983; Røe, 1982] or is incorporated in the
tetrahydrofolic-acid-dependent one-carbon pathway to become the
building block of a number of synthetic pathways
[Røe, 1982; Tephly and McMartin, 1984].

That substantial amounts of methanol metabolites or by-products are
retained for a long time is verified by Horton et al. [1992] who
estimated that 18 h following an iv injection of 100 mg/kg of
14C-methanol in male Fischer-344 rats,
only 57% of the dose was eliminated from the body.

>From the data of Dorman et al. [1994] and Medinsky et al. [1997],
it can further be calculated that 48 h following the start
of a 2-h inhalation exposure to 900 ppm of 14C-methanol vapors
in female cynomolgus monkeys,
only 23% of the absorbed 14C-methanol was eliminated from the body.

These findings are corroborated by the data of Heck et al. [1983]
showing that 40% of a 14C-formaldehyde inhalation dose remained
in the body 70 h postexposure.

In the present study, the model proposed rests on acute exposure
data, where the time profiles of methanol and its metabolites were
determined only over short time periods
[a maximum of 6 h of exposure and a maximum of 48 h postexposure].

This does not allow observation of the slow release from the long-term
components.

It is to be noted that most of the published studies on the detailed
disposition kinetics of methanol regard controlled short-term
[iv injection or continuous inhalation exposure over a few hours]
methanol exposures in rats, primates, and humans
[Batterman et al., 1998; Damian and Raabe, 1996;
Dorman et al., 1994; Ferry et al., 1980; Fisher et al., 2000;
Franzblau et al., 1995; Horton et al., 1992; Jacobsen et al., 1988;
Osterloh et al., 1996; Pollack et al., 1993; Sedivec et al., 1981;
Ward et al., 1995; Ward and Pollack, 1996].

Experimental studies on the detailed time profiles following
controlled repeated exposures to methanol are lacking."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1406
brain cell tangles and neuron death similar to Alzheimers
via low dose formaldehyde from methanol,
Chunlai Nie, Rongqiao He et al, China, 2007.01.23 BMC
Neuroscience 28 pages, 63 references: Murray 2007.01.24


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/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/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/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/1414
effect of aspartame on oncogene and suppressor gene expressions in
mice, Katalin Gambos, Istvan Ember, et al, University of Pecs,
Hungary, In Vivo 2007 Jan; scores of their relevant past studies since
1977: Murray 2007.04.14

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,
especially 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/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/si...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.../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 EU Scientific Committee on Food,
a whitewash

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1045
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame...2-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/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
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/915
formaldehyde toxicity: Thrasher & Kilburn: Shaham: EPA:
Gold: Wilson: CIIN: Murray 2002.12.12

Thrasher (2001): "The major difference is that the
Japanese demonstrated the incorporation of FA and its
metabolites into the placenta and fetus.
The quantity of radioactivity remaining in maternal and
fetal tissues at 48 hours was 26.9% of the administered
dose." [ Ref. 14-16 ]

Arch Environ Health 2001 Jul-Aug; 56(4): 300-11.
Embryo toxicity and teratogenicity of formaldehyde.
[100 references]
Thrasher JD, Kilburn KH. toxicology@drthrasher.org
Sam-1 Trust, Alto, New Mexico, USA. full text
http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehy..._toxicity.html

http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_1990.html full text
Jack Dwayne Thrasher, Alan Broughton, Roberta Madison.
Immune activation and autoantibodies in humans with
long-term inhalation exposure to formaldehyde.
Archives of Environmental Health. 1990; 45: 217-223.
PMID: 2400243
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////