Artificial Sweeteners in Milk?

[Alan C.]

Artificial Sweeteners in Milk?

Got diet milk? In a highly controversial move, the dairy industry wants to market artificially sweetened milk—without any special label to alert consumers.

In a petition filed with the FDA, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) seek to change the definition of “milk” so that chemical sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose can be used as optional ingredients not listed on the product label.

. . .

If the petition—originally filed in 2009 and now under consideration by the FDA—is successful, these hidden additives could also be included in 17 other dairy products—including whipping cream, low-fat and non-fat yogurt, eggnog, sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, and half-and-half—without requiring any special labeling.

The dairy industry contends that using artificial sweeteners like aspartame as optional ingredients in milk and other dairy foods without any special labeling would “promote more healthy eating” and boost kid appeal. Currently, milk consumption is dropping among both children and adults.

Sounds delicious.

I stopped drinking cow's milk about 20 years ago.

I use almond milk as a substitute if I cook something requiring milk.

[Heath Long]

Why? If it is so great for you, why not label it and move on? If it so healthy, the label should read, "now with asptertame!". Why would the FDA not ask these questions? I really hate these people. I hate the cartels like the Dairy Association and I hate the corrupt regulators. This is not hate for the organizations, but for the individuals that comprise them.

if I see asptertame on a label, I will not buy. I must be an exception, because it is in virtually everything. I tried to buy a pack of gum the other day, and left the store with empty hands and kickin breath. There was not a single option for me. My sister was on the diet coke and it was killing her health. She quit and her symptoms disappeared. She actually had withdrawal though.

[SimonF]

Yet there's no scientific evidence milk is healthy, let alone biologically appropriate beyond childhood (for breast milk). This is a particularly cynical marketing exercise that shows the FDA up.