04/24/06 Questions about a sugar substitute

There's an issue in Washington DC that should be of interest to Idaho sugarbeet producers; does the sugar substitute Splenda cause stomach problems? The consumer advocacy group Citizens for Health has asked the Food and Drug Administration to review the safety of the most widely used sugar substitute in the world. They petitioned the FDA after consumers complained on websites about stomach problems after ingesting Splenda. Chairman of Citizens for Health James Turner says pick up a bright yellow box of Spenda and read the label as he did at a recent news conference. TURNER  "It says Splenda no calorie sweetener. Interestingly on the back it says may contain some calories. Right there you have the beginning of a serious problem for consumers. There is a statement here that says 'made from sugar. Tastes like sugar,' but in fact this is made from a chlorine treated carbohydrate." Citizens for Health wants the FDA to review the product, and then require labeling that would describe any possible side effects and list the acceptable daily intake. An FDA spokesman says the agency stands by its original approval but the agency will review Splenda if it receives credible scientific evidence indicating that there is a safety problem. The FDA agrees that a tiny segment of the population is sensitive to one of the sweetener's by products and it suggests restricting the amount those people use. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott