Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World

FDA-approved substances are safe to consume, right? Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World seriously begs to differ, especially when it comes to aspartame, which is used primarily as an artificial sweetener for soft drinks, and has been blamed for causing neurological problems. It appears there were always scientific doubts about aspartame, and the film alleges that FDA scientists who objected to its approval were steamrolled by an intensive high-cash lobbying campaign (among the lobbyists was current Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld). Husband-and-wife filmmakers JT Waldron and Cori Brackett have a personal stake in the subject—Brackett was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2002, but was able to achieve a remarkable health turnaround through dietary changes, including cutting out diet soda (which contains aspartame). Combining one individual's harrowing story with a wider examination of unchecked corporate influence on governmental policy (aspartame remains on the market today despite serious questions of its toxicity), this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)