Controversy Surrounding Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign

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Controversy Surrounding Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Nutritionals has attracted quite a bit of controversy concerning their product Splenda, the brand name for the artificial sweetener sucralose. It seems the marketing campaign for Splenda, "Made from sugar so it tastes like sugar," has been accused of misleading consumers into believing the artificial sweetener is a natural sugar alternative. Moreover, what the campaign does not reveal is that Splenda is actually a chemically created product that uses substances such as chlorine and phosgene, a poisonous gas. The Centers for Disease Control has even described one of the ingredients used in Splenda as a major chemical used to make plastics and pesticides. Generation Green Exposes Stealth Splenda CampaignOne consumer group, known as Generation Green, has called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate McNeil's misleading campaign. Generation Green is a group of parents and other concerned citizens who:Place high importance on protecting the consumer's right to know about chemical exposure (specifically in relation to food) so that people can make informed decisions. Favor corporate and government policies that allow children to grow up protected from exposure to toxins. In response to McNeil's deceitful marketing campaign, the executive director of Generation Green stated, "This couldn't be farther from the truth. Splenda is a man-made chemical compound unrecognizable as sugar." And, even though McNeil has never outright labeled Splenda as "natural," the company's advertising efforts have deviously conveyed as much. One of Generation Green's biggest concerns is that Splenda is being suggestively advertised to children, showing up in:Snack foods Breakfast cereals Reduced calorie fruit juices Therefore, Generation Green's plan is to motivate the Federal Trade Commission to halt McNeil's extensive marketing campaign and require the company to provide the public with accurate Splenda information.ArriveNet January 13, 2005Dr. Mercola's Comment:Many people have been misguided into believing Splenda, or sucralose, is a healthy alternative to sugar. They are just not aware of some of the questionable science that went into the marketing of this product. There are an amazing number of similarities to a previous harmful artificial sweetener, Nutrasweet. The problem: Deceitful marketing ploys are working. However, the truth is there is no "magic" alternative to sugar when it comes to sweeteners. You simply cannot have your cake and eat it too when it comes to this area. Can You Handle The Truth About Splenda?So if you are among those who continue to use Splenda because you think it is a safe alternative to sugar or other artificial sweeteners, then I am about to give you a rude awakening. This artificial sweetener is not natural at all. Although they start with a sugar molecule they add chlorine molecules do it. This is a similar chemical in many respects to pesticides like DDT, and no one can even guess the long term consequences of ingesting this substance over many years. Research in animals provides us with some concerns at it has already shown that consuming sucralose comes hand-in-hand with a plethora of health problems: Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40 percent shrinkage) Enlarged liver and kidneys Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus Reduced growth rate Decreased red blood cell count Extension of the pregnancy period Aborted pregnancy Diarrhea The most revealing and powerful way to learn the treacherous truth about Splenda is to read someone's personal experience with it. Nearly every month we receive a report from someone who has had an adverse reaction to Splenda, and after reading just a few of the submitted testimonials you won't even want to look at Splenda again.Additionally, eating too much real sugar will also adversely affect your health, as it will cause your insulin level to rise and this is associated with a host of health problems. Therefore, the best option for your health is to radically reduce the sugar and sweets in your diet. Amazingly, over time your desire for them will dramatically decrease once you normalize your insulin levels. Try avoiding sugar for even a week, and then go back and taste a sugary item you used to love. You'll be amazed at how overpoweringly sweet it will taste.Related Articles:Splenda Compared to a "Biochemical Warfare Agent"--See One Woman’s Shocking Photos12 Questions You Need to Have Answered Before You Eat SplendaSplenda--Here We Go AgainBeware of Splenda's Latest Marketing PloySplenda in Short SupplyStevia: Nature's Calorie-Free Sugar Alternative!http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/2/splenda_marketing.htm Return to Table of Contents #609