Appeals Court Overturns Aspartame Nasty Case

LONDONThe Court of Appeal in London has overturned its initial ruling in a case brought by Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe SAS against ASDA Stores Ltd. The new judgment will allow Ajinomoto to pursue its case to protect the reputation of aspartame.

The judge ruled describing aspartame as a "nasty" would be understood by a substantial number of people to mean that aspartame was potentially harmful or unhealthy. He also found that a second, less damaging meaning, was not actionable. The judgment reverses that position, and ASDA no longer can deny that describing aspartame as a "nasty" denigrates a safe and beneficial food ingredient.

Click here to read the entire judgment.