total avoidance is a bit extreme though, the stuff wouldn't be legal for food use if it was so dangerous even the amounts in gum would be toxic. Its not a great chemical, but that's not to say that even a little of it is not OK to have. this is the problem with the media, things get over hyped: May cause becomes Will cause Excessive consumption of becomes consumption of and so fourth. by this logic "excessive consuption of aspartame may cause cancer" becomes "consumption of aspartame will cause cancer" which is a very different message.