As there were not enough artificial sweeteners on the market, there is another one that has been created by NutraSweet, a former division of Monsanto and the original manufacturer of aspartame. This product is called Neotame. It is 13,000 times sweeter than table sugar and about 30 times sweeter than aspartame. As a matter of fact, it is based on the aspartame formula. Neotame is just like aspartame with addition of 3,3-dimethylbutyl--which helps in reduction of phenylalanine. PKU or phenylketonuria is a product in aspartame that certain people have severe reaction to--so what they've done here is to reduce or delete it from the formula. Meaning it is the same thing with same health issues and toxins as in aspartame with an addition of something that makes it even more toxic.
This product is dangerous neurotoxin, immunotoxin and excitotoxin. Yet, they claim that the increase toxicity should be of no concern because less amount is needed to achieve similar effect. In an essence they are stating that it is all right to consume toxins as long as you don't have to use to much of it!
Watch Out For Neotame in Products
It has been approved for use in a wide variety of food products. Mostly must watch out for products that are sweet (such as bakery goods or packaged snacks), but it really could be in anything. They don't need to be listed on the labeling of all products. According to Cornucopia Institute, Neotame was approved by the FDA for use in July 2002. The FDA loosened all labeling requirements for Neotame as part of a large scale effort to make it a near ubiquitous artificial sweetener, to be found on the tabletop, in all prepared foods. It simply does not have to be include in the ingredient list.
Though, there seem to be a controversy in regards to organic foods being allowed to contain Neotame without having to list it in the ingredient area, most probably, it is not accurate. Because of the strict laws that 100% US Organic foods have--this would be unlikely, unless something should change in the future. That is why it is the safest to approach buying organic food as much as possible. Especially when it comes to packaged products. These days there are so many stuff that could be wrong with packaged foods that is not even worth going through the trouble of buying it. They simply are just not good for your health and could cause multiple health issues.
Neotame Used in Cattle Feed
Neotame is being utilized in cattle feed instead of molasses to fatten up the cattle faster. Yes, another factor to be highly concerned about. This product raises insulin and leptin levels and allows for body to go out of sync--not recognizing when it is enough to stop eating. Sweets and fats become more attractive to taste buds and are eaten more at one sitting. This is a positive factor for those who are trying to fatten their cattle up faster.
Must keep in mind that this very thing stand true for humans as well. Yes, it hits the insulin and leptin levels and have potential of making you resistance to both. Therefore, it is not really a diet food or good for diabetics and those sensitive to sugar or fat.
"Sweetos" is the name that they call Neotame product that they utilize in cattle feed in India. It masks the unpleasant odors and helps to improve the taste of food for the cattle. Yes, India is utilizing and has been effected as well. In the European Union, it was approved for flavor enhancer in November 2010.
Names to Be Aware of for Neotame
There are different names that this product may appear under:
- Sweetos
- "E number"
- E961