The miracle berry

"In market testing, diabetics thought our product, as the name implies, was a miracle."

But Harvey's sweet dream of making the world healthier came to an abrupt end. On the eve of the launch in 1974, the US Food and Drugs Administration unexpectedly turned against the product.

MIRACLE BERRY Also known as "miracle fruit" or Synsepalum dulcificum Grown in Africa, first documented in 18th Century Acts on the sour receptors of the tongue, turning sour tastes sweet Effect lasts 30 mins - two hours Effect is destroyed in hot foods - eg coffee and baked foods Renders an accompanying dry white wine sickly sweet

Legal advice and contact with the FDA had led Harvey to believe that the extract from the berry would be allowed under the classification "generally recognised as safe". Having been eaten before meals for centuries in west Africa, without anecdotal reports of problems, it could be assumed not to be harmful.

But the FDA decided it would be considered as an additive which required several years more testing. In the poor economic climate of 1974, this could not be funded and the company folded.

You've heard about "Big Oil" and its influence on policy but have you heard about "Big Sugar?" Our massive intake of sugar in all forms is the leading cause of obesity.