Over the next 2 weeks, I will be mixing up 5 Separate Segments on
"Food Additives to Avoid" with the rest of my general weekly blogs.
Today? We see more and more artificial. Most of the food at your local supermarket is no more authentic than Snooki's tan.
Our "fruit" comes packaged in Loops, our "cheese" delivered via Whiz. Sure, it's edible, but not without a 'price' to the body..
The problems with additives run deep.
The FDA currently maintains a list of ingredients
called Everything Added to Food in the United States (EAFUS), over 3,000 items are on this list.
Thankfully, most EAFUS ingredients are benign, but a
few of them do have potentially harmful effects. Why they are legal is debatable.
Some of them might be backed by political groups with coin; others probably survive
simply because the FDA hasn't
made time to adequately review the data.
Scary Ingredient #1: Olestra
A fat substitute synthesized by Procter & Gamble.
Because human digestive enzymes can't break down the big molecules, Olestra contributes 0 calories to your diet.
Why it’s scary: In the late ’90s, Frito-Lay released Olestra-enhanced WOW chips and Procter & Gamble introduced Fat Free Pringles. Both products were required to carry warning labels to notify customers about the risk of "loose stools."
Over the next 4 years, close to 15,000 people had dialed in to a hotline set up specifically to handle adverse-reaction complaints. Apparently the complaints didn't move the FDA, because in 2003, the administration revoked the warning-label mandate.
If you want to take your chances with diarrhea, go ahead, but first consider this: Olestra also appears to interfere with the body's ability to absorb some crucial nutrients like beta-carotene and lycopene.
A fat substitute synthesized by Procter & Gamble.
Because human digestive enzymes can't break down the big molecules, Olestra contributes 0 calories to your diet.
Why it’s scary: In the late ’90s, Frito-Lay released Olestra-enhanced WOW chips and Procter & Gamble introduced Fat Free Pringles. Both products were required to carry warning labels to notify customers about the risk of "loose stools."
Over the next 4 years, close to 15,000 people had dialed in to a hotline set up specifically to handle adverse-reaction complaints. Apparently the complaints didn't move the FDA, because in 2003, the administration revoked the warning-label mandate.
If you want to take your chances with diarrhea, go ahead, but first consider this: Olestra also appears to interfere with the body's ability to absorb some crucial nutrients like beta-carotene and lycopene.
Furthermore, an animal study at Purdue University found
that 'fake fats' like Olestra may cause more weight gain than real fat. Omega Fats being the better choice (Healthy Fats that Burn Fat).
Where you’ll find it: Lay’s Light chips, Pringles Light chips
Scary Ingredient #2: Potassium Bromate
A compound that conditions flour and helps bread puff up during baking.
Why it’s scary: Potassium bromate causes thyroid and kidney tumors in rats, and it's banned from food use in many countries. In California, products containing potassium bromate are required to carry a cancer warning. Fortunately, negative publicity has made the additive relatively rare, but until the FDA banishes it, you should remain on the lookout.
Where you'll find it: Johnny Rockets Hoagie Roll, Wontons
A compound that conditions flour and helps bread puff up during baking.
Why it’s scary: Potassium bromate causes thyroid and kidney tumors in rats, and it's banned from food use in many countries. In California, products containing potassium bromate are required to carry a cancer warning. Fortunately, negative publicity has made the additive relatively rare, but until the FDA banishes it, you should remain on the lookout.
Where you'll find it: Johnny Rockets Hoagie Roll, Wontons
- Zeke Samples -
She got in touch with the team, and in April 2008, the whole family boarded a plane for Boston: Steve, Kari, four-month-old Brooks, Jack, 4, Sam, 6, and Addison, 7. click here
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