Aspartame: Artificial sweetener

About Aspartame: 

• • It is the most widely used low-calorie artificial sweetener in the world and has a sweetness level that is almost 200 times more than ordinary sugar.

• 1965: It was discovered by James M. Schlatter.

• • Aspartic acid and phenylalanine, two naturally occurring amino acids make up its two constituents. 

• Uses: 

• Food and Beverage products: Diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream, yoghurt, breakfast cereal, toothpaste. 

• Pharmaceuticals:  Cough drops and Chewable vitamins.

• Dairy goods like yoghurt and chewable vitamins.

Why in news?

• The WHO declared Aspartame as possibly carcinogenic.