[MichaelGG]

But then apart from the FDA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Singapore, probably many more, have all OK'd it and it's still approved. Surely his political influence doesn't cover dozens of countries over nearly half a century.

Aspartame is 50 years old now. Any researcher that showed a clear damaging effect would instantly be set for life, no? I know that isn't strong evidence, but it's some evidence.

I don't know what it is about artificial sweeteners in general, but I think people hate the idea of getting something for free, that you can literally enjoy a sweet dessert without paying for it in calories.

In SF, it's obnoxious, to the point of places not even carrying sucralose or aspartame, only <shudder>, Stevia. Or people saying, with a straight face, "Yep, our tea has real sugar, so it's far better for you."