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Science, Regulatory & Enviromental Management
Coca Cola
NORTH AMERICA
P.O. Box 1734
Atlanta, GA 30301
May 19, 2004
404.676.212
Mr. Stephen Schmidt, Editor
Nutrition Action Healthletter
Center for Science in the Public Interest
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009
Dear Mr. Schmidt:
The review of artificial sweeteners in "Sweet Nothings," Nutrition Action Healthletter, May
2004, provides some helpful information for readers but causes two areas of concern.
First, the article pictures a glass of Coca-cola in the section on saccharin, mistakenly indicating
that the beverage contains this sweetener. However, Coca-cola does not contain saccharin, and
readers should be informed of this error.
Second, discussions of the safety of saccharin and acesulfame potassium present a selective and
biased review of the data raising unsubstantiated fears among consumers. According to the
National Cancer Institute, "There is no evidence that the regulated artificial sweeteners on the
market in the United States are related to cancer risk in humans." The U.S. National Toxicology
Program has removed saccharin from the list of established human carcinogens. And the World
Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed that the evidence
is inadequate to link saccharin with human cancer. More than 90 countries approve the use of
saccharin.
Regarding acesulfame potassium, about 90 scientific studies, versus three mentioned in the story,
have thoroughly established the safety of acesulfame potassium. These studies are the basis for a
number of government authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the
Commission of the European Communities, to conclude that acesulfame potassium is safe. The
American Dietetic Association has also affirmed the safety of acesulfame potassium, even during
pregnancy.
Many individuals count on CSPI for nutrition and health advice. But when the scientific data
and consensus of experts overwhelmingly differ from that reported in the Healthletter, readers
are misinformed.
Sincerely,
Barlaw Beck
Barbara L. Beck, M.S., R.D.
Principal Manager, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/mfpj0226

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