A new study links aspartame, which is found in the artificial sweeteners Equal, NutraSweet and Canderel, to cancer in lab rats. While the FDA does not support these findings and endorses the artificial sweeteners currently on supermarket shelves, the safety of aspartame continues to be questioned.

We asked health expert Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom to tell us what we need to know about those little blue packets and suggest some sweet, easy alternatives.

NEXT: Find out what she had to say >>