Topic: American Beverage Association

The American Beverage Association (ABA) has reportedly been paying medical professionals and TikTok influencers, such as Dr. Idz, to promote the safety of aspartame. This campaign was launched in anticipation of a World Health Organization report labeling the sweetener as a possible carcinogen. The hosts point out that the "consumer confusion" talking point used by the FDA and news outlets was a coordinated messaging strategy funded by the industry.

Mainstream media outlets reported on a study linking daily diet soda consumption to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. The hosts compare coverage from ABC and NBC, noting that medical editors seem hesitant to name "aspartame" as the potential culprit. They suggest the sudden influx of negative news about diet soda is part of a PR war between Coke and Pepsi as they transition to new sweeteners.

A new commercial from the American Beverage Association claims companies are removing "full-calorie" drinks from schools. The hosts interpret this as a move to replace sugar with aspartame, which has been rebranded under new names. They reminisce about a time when "milk money" was only four cents and children drank from water fountains instead of consuming junk food in schools.