NY Non-Diet Soft Drink Tax unfair to those with Aspartame allergy (PKU), page 1
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Topic started on 17-12-2008 @ 09:57 AM by JonInMichigan
People with PKU (Phenylketonuria) are highly allergic to the amino acid phenylalanine which is used in diet soft drinks. I personally get very severe headaches that last all day long if I have so much as a sip of a drink containing Aspartame. It is very rare for me to get a headache otherwise, and if I do it’s usually sinus related. I discovered that I had this problem way back in the 1980’s when Aspartame (NutraSweet) came out and I went around ‘banging my drum’ for people that there is something really ‘off’ about this new ‘miracle’ sweetener. No one believed me back then, but now it is somewhat well known that this condition actually does exist. I’m lucky that have no other allergies or health conditions I know of. This is the one thorn in my side.

It’s really not a big deal for me to avoid foods and beverages that contain Aspartame but I was pretty shocked to hear that New York will be taxing people who drink non-diet soft drinks as a “fat tax” to raise money. This assumes that all people who drink non-diet soft drinks don’t care about their health. I drink water most of the day but do enjoy a Captain-n-Cola when winding down a long day.

NYpost article regarding the tax


An 18 percent tax on nondiet soft drinks, which aims to reduce child obesity. A $1.50 can of Pepsi would then cost at least 25 cents more.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.


I do not live in New York, but I’m surprised that no one is crying foul on the basis that there are many people who suffer from this allergy who will be unfairly taxed for consuming non-diet soft drinks, when they really have no choice but to either not drink soft drinks at all or pay the tax.

According to Wikipedia the incidence of PKU is quite high among Europeans:

Wiki Phenylketonuria

The incidence of PKU is about 1 in 15,000 births, but the incidence varies widely in different human populations from 1 in 4,500 births among the population of Ireland[16] to fewer than one in 100,000 births among the population of Finland.


Just one of the thousands of sites that talk about the dangers of Aspertame:

aspartame-information

And many people have reported the following side effects from aspartame:
• Fibromyalgia Syndrome and symptoms of Fibromyalgia
• Multiple Sclerosis symptoms
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Menstrual problems

Aspartame Dangers
The dangers of aspartame poisoning have been a well guarded corporate secret since the 1980s. The research and history of aspartame dangers is conclusive as a cause of illness and toxic reactions in the human body. Aspartame dangers are the result of its chemical structure, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest aspartame dangers of all.
Aspartame dangers are the common denominator for over 92 different health symptoms at the root of modern disease. The Aspartame Detoxification Program demonstrates the most effective way to reverse aspartame dangers by removing the underlying cause - aspartame


Many of the people in America who get severe headaches don’t even know it’s from Aspartame and have no idea of the other dangers related to this product (debatable in another thread). I’m also quite sure that Big-Pharma has no problem in selling boat-loads of headache medicine to all these unwitting people. It’s another one of those MSM cover-ups where there are plenty of publicly ignored class action lawsuits out there and it is a highly contested topic. When you look at the money backing the opposition, which would be every major food and beverage company, it becomes obvious why we don’t hear more about it.

The companies have at least partially recognized it now by placing PKU warnings on all diet soft drink (of the Aspartame variety) labels which means that they at least acknowledge that the allergy exists.

New York has went ahead and instituted this tax plan with no regard to the large numbers of people who will be unfairly taxed for a genetic condition for which they have no control (if they ever want to enjoy a soft drink again).

Even though I’m from Michigan I feel compelled to speak out for those PKU people in New York before this ‘brilliant idea’ takes hold in other parts of the country.

This is my first time I have posted my own thread on ATS so hopefully I have followed the citation rules correctly.

Edit: fixed typo

[edit on 17-12-2008 by JonInMichigan]


reply posted on 17-12-2008 @ 10:12 AM by JonInMichigan
reply to post by asmeone2


I completely agree except for one thing: I like to have a mixed drink now and again and I like them with 'pop' (Michigan soft drink slang). The alchohol is already not healthy and the pop makes a good mixer. In moderation all things are fine. I drink water most of the time as it is the most healthy drink according to most experts. Either way, I shouldn't be taxed more for my personal choice to drink a soft drink now and again that has to be of the non-diet variety.

There is an alarming rise in use of Aspartame in food products. I found out the other day that it's difficult to find chewing gum any more without phenylalanine in it. Big Red used to be one of the only ones left but now they changed their formula too. I walked out of 7-Eleven with no gum as there wasn't one on the shelf I could have.

I just worry that we may have a sweeping series of health reforms soon and all these artificial sweeteners may be mandated leaving many people with PKU out in the cold (not just in the soft drink arena) or taxed for our 'fatness' or alergies. By the way, I am in perfect health and have a lean athletic body.


reply posted on 17-12-2008 @ 03:24 PM by JonInMichigan
reply to post by asmeone2


Hey... no problem. All that crap is bad for you which is why I pointed out that generally if/when I drink that stuff I have a good reason, like to mix it with booze... which is also no good for you, but I'm not alergic to it. (Thank goodness!) After reading ATS all evening I need a stiff drink.

I try to keep my pop intake a low as possible but when I do drink it I have to go with the sugar version. It just seemed sily for NY to have this tax but I also see it as unfair to say that it is just a choice based on free-will. Some people won't drink Aspartame for a variety of reasons, but some, like me, don't drink it because it will make me physically ill. I don't think it tastes bad either and probably wouldn't have a problem drinking it if I could. It's a real pain in the arse going to peoples houses and every soda at the party is diet due to popularity. I have learned to bring my own for a mixer because I would rather not have a headache all night long.

NY just seemed to ignore that whole segment of the population with this tax and it gave me a reason to finally create an original thread on ATS!


reply posted on 17-12-2008 @ 06:31 PM by JonInMichigan
reply to post by Amaxium


Cool thanks!

Apartame is no good for anyone and I figured we would break into a discussion of that here. For me it is bad no matter if you believe in a CT on it or not. I have also met others who share this allergy. When you head starts hurting from eating or drinking it though, you tend to believe the CT wholeheartedly.


reply posted on 17-12-2008 @ 09:48 PM by Yoda411
reply to post by JonInMichigan


I think it's unfair to everyone. Why should the government charge you more to choose the one you believe is healthier for your individual situation?

I personally am not allergic to Aspartame, but I refuse to drink this chemical compound merely for the idea it is a weight losing alternative to sugar. I believe this lab-created compound is harder for the body to digest when compared to a more naturally forming ingredient of sugar.

Plus I've heard a lot of garbage about it feeding cancer, etc. Who knows how much of that stuff is true. I just choose not to drink it because it is a relatively new ingredient with unknown side-effects.
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