FDA and the Miracle Fruit, take two.
Mar. 31st, 2007 02:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jackofallgeeksSo, I Posted about this 'Miracle Fruit thing back in February, but as it's cropped up again on my Friends Page and I think it's worth noting, I'm reposting.
The long and short is there's this fruit with a 'glycoprotein' that makes sour things taste sweet. It's apparently been used for centuries, it's heavily marketted in Japan, and has seen both low-cal desserts and relief for people with diabetes -- two things, I think, that Americans would be very interested in.
Unfortunately, the FDA has banned the Miracle Fruit, for apparently unknown reasons. It's not hard to imagine that pressures from Big Sugar and diabetes-pharmaceutical lobbyists might have had an influence on the decision. Some seem to think the FDA fears that miraculin (the glycoprotien I mentioned) might mask the flavors of Aspirin or other things that are toxic in high quantities (and kids might eat them! Think of the children!), but there seems to be a Lengthy Paper saying that won't happen (ie, miraculin won't mask said toxic thingums).
So, there you have it. The FDA is keeping us from some very interesting cuisine experiences, likely because they're being paid to by people who profit otherwise.
The long and short is there's this fruit with a 'glycoprotein' that makes sour things taste sweet. It's apparently been used for centuries, it's heavily marketted in Japan, and has seen both low-cal desserts and relief for people with diabetes -- two things, I think, that Americans would be very interested in.
Unfortunately, the FDA has banned the Miracle Fruit, for apparently unknown reasons. It's not hard to imagine that pressures from Big Sugar and diabetes-pharmaceutical lobbyists might have had an influence on the decision. Some seem to think the FDA fears that miraculin (the glycoprotien I mentioned) might mask the flavors of Aspirin or other things that are toxic in high quantities (and kids might eat them! Think of the children!), but there seems to be a Lengthy Paper saying that won't happen (ie, miraculin won't mask said toxic thingums).
So, there you have it. The FDA is keeping us from some very interesting cuisine experiences, likely because they're being paid to by people who profit otherwise.
