Aspartame is an artificial sweetener which most of us consume daily. It is used in soft drinks, sweets, and as a sugar substitute for your tea and coffee, but it has always had some questions attached to it's safety. Over 80% of the complaints received by the FDA relate to this substance, and not long ago, it was included on a Pentagon list of bio warfare chemicals submitted to Congress. This vital ingredient of Coca Cola, Pepsi, NutraSweet and Equal, amongst many other recognisable food, drink and additive brands, is known to erode intelligence and short-term memory, and can further allegedly lead to brain tumours, birth defects, Alzheimer’s, and emotional and anxiety disorders. Has the FDA forgotten about the proved side effects? Is this multi-billion dollar industry too powerful to allow health issues to get in the way of profit?