Foods / Tuesday, 09-Sep-2025

Aspartame panic illustrates how scare-narratives can take root

Aspartame panic illustrates how scare-narratives can take root

XLinkedInFacebookRedditBlueskyThreads
sweet n low condiments aspertame g foodservice
Credit: Smuckers

“Trust is one of the most important metrics that any business and food ingredient makers should be looking at, explained,” ​said Alison Borgmeyer, MS, RD, chair, US food and beverage, Edelman.

While food scientists and technologists understand how to produce these technologies, the challenge continues in translating that technical knowledge to the public in a transparent manner.

Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Using terms like “artificial” can evoke negative connotations, emphasizing the importance of effective communication to bridge the gap between scientific terminology and consumer understanding.

Using the recent news about aspartame’s safety​ as an example, [Senior Director of Nutrition Communications at International Food Information Council Kris] Sollid highlighted clear and quick communication as a critical tool for sweetener developers to engage with the public in an authentic, reliable way, and ultimately building transparency and trust.

“If you’re a company who makes products using aspartame or other sweeteners, one thing to be considered in increasing trust with consumers is [the] willingness to speak about it. Speak about the topic and do so quickly. Because there’s a narrative that’s created up there if you do not, other people will be speaking about it and they will fill that void​,” Sollid emphasized.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here

combined disclaimer outlined@ x
donation plea outlined@ x
XLinkedInFacebookRedditBlueskyThreads
podcastsGLP Podcasts & Podcast VideosMore...
Video: Nuclear energy will destroy us? Global warming is an existential threat? Chemicals are massacring bees? Donate to the Green Industrial Complex!

Video: Nuclear energy will destroy us? Global warming is an existential threat? Chemicals are massacring bees? Donate to the Green Industrial Complex!

v facts and fallacies cameron and liza default featured image outlined

GLP podcast: Science journalism is a mess. Here’s how to fix it

Mosquito massacre: Can we safely tackle malaria with a CRISPR gene drive?

Mosquito massacre: Can we safely tackle malaria with a CRISPR gene drive?

dead bee desolate city

Are we facing an ‘Insect Apocalypse’ caused by ‘intensive, industrial’ farming and agricultural chemicals? The media say yes; Science says ‘no’

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...
science hand testtube x

Why is there controversy over GMO foods but not GMO drugs?

Genetic Literacy Project
international law x

How are GMOs labeled around the world?

Genetic Literacy Project
two types of breeding x

How does genetic engineering differ from conventional breeding?

Genetic Literacy Project
Screen Shot at AM

Alex Jones: Right-wing conspiracy theorist stokes fear of GMOs, pesticides to sell ‘health supplements’

T H LO

IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer): Glyphosate cancer determination challenged by world consensus

Most Popular

  • Viewpoint — Fact checking MAHA mythmakers: How wellness influencers and RFK, Jr. undermine American science and health

  • Viewpoint: Video — Big Solar is gobbling up productive agricultural land and hurting farmers yet providing little energy or sustainabilty gains

  • Fighting deforestation with CO2: Biotechnology breakthrough creates sustainable palm oil alternative for cosmetics

  • Trust issues: What happens when therapists use ChatGPT?

  • California, Washington, Oregon forge immunization alliance to safeguard vaccine access against federal undermining

  • 30-year-old tomato line shows genetic resistance to devastating virus

  • The free-range chicken dilemma: Better for birds, but with substantial costs

  • ‘You have to treat the brain first’: Rethinking chronic pain with Sanjay Gupta

Follow Us

Newsletter

Be the first to know about new products and promotions.

Subscribe with your email

Tranding

Tags

zolentz

Fresh, fast, and fun — all the entertainment you need in one place.

© Zolentz. All Rights Reserved. Designed by zolentz