both saccharin and cyclamate received GRAS status by the Food Additives Amendment to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (1). However, in 1969, cyclamate was taken off the market as it produced bladder cancer in laboratory mice. I guess the mice tested for cyclamate in 1958 were just healthier.

Aspartame (Equal and NutraSweet) – A Very Exciting Artificial Sweetener
In 1965, the third marketed AS was produced by scientist James Schlatter. He was designing an ulcer medication when he produced the AS, aspartame. Unlike its two predecessors, aspartame (shown right) is metabolized by the body. Aspartame is made up of two amino acids and a methyl ester. The two amino acids are phenylalanine and aspartic acid.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and there are 22 known amino acids,a child or a quarter of a cup in an adult would likely result in death (4).

Methanol also has a place in American history. When the Eighteenth Amendment, also known as Prohibition, of the United Stated Constitution took effect in January 1920, for the purpose of prohibiting the production, sale and transport of alcohol, methanol reared itself. Prohibition seemed like a noble idea, as the government felt that they could legislate behavior by limiting alcohol consumption. This plan was a catastrophe. As a consequence, Prohibition actually caused an increase in people drinking (4). Secondly, it also brought forth organized crime who capitalized by producing and distributing bootleg liquor. The alcohol used was methanol. Methanol is produced by distilling wood products like sawdust, lumber, or furniture and hence, the