THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	221
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the legislative reference bureau to determine whether any other state prohibits or regulates the use of ASPARTAME and review the history of the food and drug ADMINISTRATION'S regulation of aspartame.

     WHEREAS, aspartame was discovered in 1965, was first approved for use as a food additive in the United States in 1981, and is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners; and

     WHEREAS, when metabolized by the body, aspartame is broken down into two common amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and a small amount of a third substance, methanol; and

     WHEREAS, these three substances occur in similar or greater amounts in common foods; and

     WHEREAS, aspartame continues to be the subject of strong public controversy regarding its safety; and

     WHEREAS, some studies have recommended further investigation into the possible connection between aspartame and diseases such as brain tumors, brain lesions, and lymphoma; and

     WHEREAS, some human and animal studies have found adverse effects and some have found no adverse effects; and

     WHEREAS, there is considerable dispute about the reliability of methods used to determine the effects of average consumption of aspartame by people and whether studies based upon the tests accurately represent the test results; and

     WHEREAS, the Internet has become a tool for many to spread and promote the opinion they adhere to as fact, whether it is that aspartame is a neurotoxin derived from toxic sludge or it is a harmless product enabling a healthy lifestyle; and

     WHEREAS, while many may find that the simple answer to the problem is to not purchase or use any product containing aspartame in it, there are those who maintain that some products do not specifically list aspartame as an ingredient, rather it is hidden under the label of "natural flavors"; and

     WHEREAS, other jurisdictions, the state of New Mexico most recently and notably, have tried to prohibit importation of aspartame, to ban its use in food manufacturing, or to impose labeling requirements on foods containing it; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to:

(1)  Review the history of the Food and Drug Administration's regulation of aspartame; and

(2)  Determine whether any other state prohibits or regulates the use of aspartame; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to provide a report to the Legislature regarding its review and determination no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Health are requested to assist the Legislative Reference Bureau in this study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Attorney General, and the Director of Health.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Aspartame; Federal and State Regulation