Aspartame reminds me of homosexuality.
Why?
British philosopher Jeremy Bentham spent a great deal of effort trying to figure out a rationale, based on his utilitarianism, to make homosexuality illegal. He could find none. According to his principles, homosexuals must be treated like other adults, as basically free to do as they please so long as they do not harm others.
Sadly, Bentham would not allow his research and reasoning made public in his lifetime, for fear that it would tarnish the utilitarian emprise.
And here is the parallel story: Aspartame has been examined by scientists more than most other food substances.
They are always looking for a way to call it dangerous. And thus worthy of prohibition.
Aspartame’s like homosexuality: condemning it doesn’t pass muster.
Of course, the idea that you should ingest it no more follows than you should “be homosexual.” To each his/her own.
twv
Wirkman Comment 
An interesting parallel. But Bentham faced negative sanctions should he come forward to say that homosexuality should not be criminalized, and would not have been celebrated in his own day for proclaiming what was taken to be obvious; and I doubt that anyone were offering grants for attempting a case against homosexuality. Whereäs there are positive sanctions for anyone who finds a basis for restricting aspartame, and merely a shrug for anyone who fails to find fault with it; and money is available for such explorations that is not available for others. So I think that there is a greater wickedness in one case than in the other, though its location may be difficult.
Of homosexuality and of aspartame, I will say that at least neither is soccer.