| The History of Saccharin Saccharin Word Origin: Latin "saccharum" or their word for "sugar" Saccharin was the first artificial sweetener discovered. In 1879, a chemistry research assistant named Constatine Fahlberg accidentally discovered saccharin, while working on new food preservatives. After leaving the laboratory, Fahlberg was eating dinner with his hands and noticed that his food was unusually sweet. Saccharin was first used as a sweetener during World War I, sugar was rationed, and saccharin use dramatically increased throughout Europe and America. Then, during World War II, sugar was again rationed, increasing the production of saccharin. After World War II, sacchain production continued to increase. Limitations on Use - In 1960, studies were conducted that showed saccharin caused bladder cancer in lab rats. Soon after the studies were conducted, the FDA somewhat limited its use. In 1977, Canada banned the use of saccharin. But, because saccharin was the only artificial sugar of the time, a huge uproar errupted, causing the limitations and bans to break. Also in 1977, Congress called for additional research to be done, while putting its ban in the US off until the mortorium was no longer in effect. It has been extended several times, and as of current, the mortorium is in effect until this year (2002). |