(…read…we found a sucker)
(…read…we know that the bottom will fall out as time passes and the proof of the harmful effects of Aspartame consumption are proven…)
(…read…now that we’ve made our money, we are going to get out now while we still have plausible deniability and long before the damage awards start rolling in…)
The truth? It’s out there folks…
Krispy Original – The original SDMB bad boy
Would you mind telling us what school system taught you how to “read”? A lawsuit might be in order.
A few nits and amplifications:
First, Monsanto has not sold its aspertame business, just the Equal/Nutrasweet division. That’s the part that makes the little packets that you get with your coffee. The bigger business, the one that sells aspertame to soft drink companies and yogurt makers and whatnot, is still for sale.
Second, this is part of a process they undertook a while ago, as part of prettying themselves up for sale (Pharmacia & Upjohn is the lucky buyer). You see, they had run up a big debt investing in crop biotech (just in case you didn’t think the aspertame business was suspect enough, Krispy).
Third, the “sucker” behind MSD Capital, L.P. is Michael Dell, the computer guy.
Fourth, I haven’t seen the purchase documents, but I’ll WAG that the contract includes a clause that places liability on the seller for anything having to do with the product being defective for all incidents prior to some date certain, which date may occur after the closing of the sale.
We now return you to your Great Debate, already in progress.
This GQ moment has been brought to you by the American Cane Sugar Cooperative. “Hey, don’t use that crap! You don’t know where it’s been. Just use the damn sugar and park a block further from work and you’ll be happier.”
Well, I’m gonna agree in part with both Manny and Krispy.
I think there’s enough legitimate inquiry out there about aspartame to be just a bit nervous about it. We debated that issue here some time ago, and even our resident M.D. (Sue), IIRC, discussed some of the concerns associated with the stuff.
OTOH, my money’s right there with Manny’s that there’s a few paragraphs of legalese addressing the liability aspects. I wonder who insures Monstanto . . . ?
-Melin
Siamese attack puppet – California
Still neglecting and overprotecting my children
::goofy voice on:: I’m all ascared that I’ma gonna be suuuued! ::goofy voice off::
Krispy Original – The original SDMB bad boy
I think slythe was suggesting that you sue the people who taught you to “read”.
And mightn’t Monsanto’s attempts to sell its Aspartame divisions also have something to do with potential future competition from Acesulfame-K, Alitame, and Sucralose?
Kudos to those who aren’t searching for a conspiracy when there’s nothing there. Monsanto is still in the aspartame business, as noted. It’s simply gotten out of the retail end.
The patent on aspartame is due to expire soon (I forget exactly when). That means the retail end will be under steady price pressure. Since Monsanto is not particularly good at retailing anyway (they sold their lawn and garden products several years ago), why not get out while they can still get money for it.
Monsanto will be happy to sell aspartame when the price is right. They’ve been selling off various divisions for 15 years, and spun off the entire chemical side of their company. They’ve entered into merger discussions that have included both the agricultural chemicals and drugs, as well as those that called for getting rid of one or the other. That doesn’t mean they’re any more afraid of aspartame than anything else.
So Monsanto’s strategic direction is to get into businesses that aren’t revenue-generating?
All right, then.
SanibelMan - My Homepage
“Hey, you sass that hoopy Ford Prefect? There’s a frood who really knows where his towel is.”
Let’s leave my mom out of this.
Krispy Original – The original SDMB bad boy
Yeah, until they can find a sucker to buy the wholesale division which is currently for sale.
Explain the situation whereby the FDA officials that approved Aspartame then went to work for Monsanto.
If you happen to BS your way through that one, then respond to the fact that major grocers in the UK have pulled Aspartame containing products from their shelves.
Krispy Original – The original SDMB bad boy
I’ll just leave the B.S.ing to the expert. 
Krispy Original wrote:
Because the U.K. is notoriously paranoid when it comes to public health.
If there’s the slightest hint that some product might increase one’s chances of getting cancer from 1.02573% to 1.02574%, they’ll panic and start pulling the “carcinogen” off the shelves.
I’m surprised the U.K. hasn’t outlawed cellular telephones yet.
The truth, as always, is more complicated than that.