Without Food there is no Life. Without good food there is no quality of Life!
Without Food there is no Life. Without good food there is no quality of Life!
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In the United States, it's not uncommon for food to contain additives that are banned in the European Union (EU) for their links to cancer and other health problems, Roni Caryn Rabin reports for the New York Times' "Well." Rabin rounds up a list of the most common food additives that EU bans and the United States allows—despite calls to ban them..
Surprisingly there are over 1300 chemicals used in the USA that are banned in many parts of the world!
In 1958 Congress amended the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to ban potentially carcinogenic food additives from gaining FDA approval. However, some additives that were used before the Delaney amendment's passage are considered to have prior approval. According to an FDA spokesperson, that means they "are not regulated as food additives."
Here some of the food additives that are prohibited or restricted in Europe but have a green light for consumption in the United States.
These additives are banned in Europe because they may cause cancer but are still often added to baked goods in the United States. FDA denied requests to ban potassium bromate, which is added to flour, even though it is considered a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, because it was approved before the Delaney amendment's passage. FDA said that ADA, a whitening agent that is also added to flour, is safe to consume in limited quantities, even though research shows that the additive caused cancer in lab animals.
BHA and BHT are preservatives and flavor enhancers that face "severe restrictions in Europe," Rabin writes. According to Rabin, there's "mixed" evidence on BHT, but BHA is "reasonably anticipated" to be human carcinogens by the U.S. government.
BVO adds the citrus flavor to popular sports drinks and soft drinks like Mountain Dew, but it also contains bromine, which can build up in the body and potentially affect your memory, skin, and nerves. While the oil is banned in Europe, an FDA spokesperson said it is considered to be safe for consumption in limited quantities in the United States.
The food dyes, which can be found in candy, cereal, and condiments such as ketchup and mustard are not banned in Europe, but the EU does require the coloring agents to come with a warning label when sold in stores that says the dyes could cause "an adverse effect on activity and attention in children," Caryn Rabin writes. FDA, on the other hand, does not require a warning label for the food dyes. It does, however, mention on its website that yellow dye no. 5 can cause hives and itching.
The animal drug ractopamine, which is administered to animals on U.S. farms to fatten cattle, turkeys, and pigs before slaughter, is banned in Europe along with bovine growth hormone, which the U.S. dairy industry uses to increase milk production in animals. FDA says both of the animal drugs are safe to use. The EU, meanwhile, says ractopamine's "risks to human health cannot be ruled out"
Thiamine Mononitrate is added to most breads for mass produced bread production. and like so many other chemical the enabling of easier production outwieghs consideration of safety, especially when only a few might die.
GMOs. Most definitely a hot topic in our time and for good reason. There are two separate avenues when it comes to referring to hidden GMO ingredients - one deals with actual ingredients and the other deals more on a chemical level. This article will focus mainly on ingredients but we feel it is important to discuss hidden chemical components in GMO products because of the risk of allergic reactions.
You may have heard the argument that genetic modification has been happening since the dawn of time. This argument states that farmers have been cross breeding crops for desired traits since the dawn of time so why is it such a big deal now?
The answer is that we're talking about two completely different processes. Crossing breeding between similar species of plants for desirable traits is what has been happening for thousands of years. The genetic modification (aka genetic engineering) happening in the last few decades is taking place in a laboratory at a cellular level. Genes are being manipulated, traded and inserted into crops in a way that could never be produced in nature.
In the 1990s, scientists tried to create a healthier soybean by inserting a gene from a brazil nut into it. For those of you highly or even deathly allergic to nuts - this kind of thing happening should alarm you especially since about 94% of soybeans are currently genetically modified according to GMOInside.org. Thankfully, these soybeans were tested on people who were sensitive to brazil nuts and those tests showed reactions to the soybeans which means that that specific GM soybean was never put on the market.
This kind of genetic modification poses a couple HUGE questions in regards to ingredient labeling. For instance, government agencies categorize genetically modified foods as the same as their non-genetically modified counter-parts. Since that is the case, would companies be required to label (for example) a "Soy/Soybeans containing Brazil Nuts" as containing Nut Allergens? Or would it simply be called Soy?
To take this even further, by genetically modifying a crop, scientists are literally altering its genetic makeup which means that they may (and probably do) act differently on a chemical/cellular level. For instance, there is a higher amount of a common soy allergen in GM soy vs. the non GM variety. So people who may not have reacted to a low level of it in non GMO soy, may now have an allergic reaction. Additionally, it is common for genetically modified foods to contain new protein structures uncommon in non-GMO versions. These new proteins may trigger immune responses in people - aka an allergic reaction.
There is still research being done on the safety of genetically modified foods - which to us is INSANE since according to The Non-GMO Project 80% of processed foods in North American contain GMOs. That is a staggering percentage and it certainly should give us pause, especially when making our way through a grocery store.
Switching gears here, let's talk about common GMO ingredients you will find in a loaf of bread. One of the major GMO players is soy - as in soy flour, soy lecithin, and soybean oil. Soy lecithin is used for its ability to make bread dough easy to work with by making it less sticky. Soy flour has a bleaching affect on dough and it adds softness and volume to mass produced breads. And Soybean oil is used to extend shelf life, add flavor and make bread softer. Another GMO ingredient to look out for in bread is cornstarch which is sometimes used for its thickening ability and as a component for bleaching flour.
You should also watch out for corn oil, vegetable oil, cottonseed oil, dextrose and high fructose corn syrup as they are likely to be genetically modified. And even trickier are enzymes commonly added to dough to make processing easier or to help create a good crust. Many of them are made with the help of genetically modified microorganisms - not that you can find this anywhere on a label.
GMO ingredients are used in breads (as you read above) for a ton of different reasons - for bread to seem thicker, for dough to be easier to work with, to improve bread coloring, to add nutritional value etc - but the #1 main reason they are used all ties into the fact that most breads are massed produced.
Mass producing a bread means there is no room for error. The dough HAS to be easy to work with. The dough CANNOT be sticky when making its way through machinery. The bread HAS to be shelf stable and able to last for weeks after it is purchased. Above all else, it has to be consistent for mass producing to be possible.
It all comes down to the industrial revolution and our need to be better, faster and easier. Unfortunately, this value system may have some unintended consequences manifesting in the health of our nation and the rest of the world.
Some people say yes, some say no, some say maybe and some say probably.
If you Google "GMOs Bad" and "GMOs good" and other variations, you will find hundreds upon hundreds of articles that fight boldly on both sides. You have one side saying 100% yes that GMOs are bad while their opponents simply call people scientifically uneducated or paranoid.
Although we don't claim to have the answers, we do take a stand when it comes to labeling GMOs. We believe that everyone should have the right to know if GMOs are in their food and be given the opportunity to choose for themselves whether they consume them or not.
GMOs have been in our food supply since the mid 1990s and there are studies coming out all the time that should give us cause for concern.
According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (an international organization that has been around since 1965), there have been several animal studies that show that consuming GMOs leads to an increased risk of "infertility, immune dysregulation, accelerated aging, dysregulation of genes associated with cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation, and changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and gastrointestinal system." They go on to urge Physicians to educate their patients on GMOs, to recommend Non-GMO diets for all patients and to document their patients health changes if they cut out GMOs.
Anyone else find it interesting that an internationally known and respected organization comprised of Physicians would boldly urge their peers to keep an eye on GMOs and the role they may play on their patient's health?
GMOs may turn out to be perfectly healthy but until there are legitimate studies done on their safety - why not add a label to them so people can err on the side of caution? Maybe GMOs are the issue here but, maybe, like we've said all along, they simply play their part in the whole perfect storm that we find ourselves in today.
Stay up to date on current GMO issues and research that is coming out all of the time. Keep inspecting those ingredient panels and avoid questionable ingredients like soy, corn and cotton. When in doubt, find products with the Non-GMO Project Verified label.
If you find yourself stumped - feel free to ask your local health food store for help! We know that most natural health retailers are well informed and more than willing to answer their customers' questions. They are a valuable resource so don't be shy!
People in the United States love their salmon. However, farm-raised salmon available in America is fed astaxanthin to give it its coral color. Salmon containing this petrochemical is banned for consumption in Australia and New Zealand.
Milk in the United States, unless marked otherwise, is treated with either rBST or rBGH, which are artificial hormones that stimulate milk production. The FDA says there is no difference in the milk produced by cows treated with the hormone, but countries like Canada and those in the European Union ban it.
This citrus-flavored soft drink uses brominated vegetable oil (BVO) as an emulsifier. BVO is banned in Japan and the European Union because it contains bromine, the element found in brominated flame retardants, which can build up in the body and potentially lead to memory loss as well as skin and nerve problems.
Chicken produced in the United States gets washed in chlorine to reduce its risk of spreading diseases and illnesses like salmonella. This practice is banned in the United Kingdom and the European Union because it promotes unsanitary farming practices.
In the United States, farmers use ractopamine to increase lean muscle growth in livestock, including in 40-60% of American pigs. Elsewhere, 160 nations—including the European Union, Russia, and China—ban the use of the drug in meat production.
This popular dessert in the United States contains food dyes Yellow 5 and Red 40. While they now are permitted in the European Union, they have to carry warnings that they cause adverse effects in children. They are also banned in foods for infants and young children. No such warning is required domestically. Norway and Austria have banned the chocolate treats outright.
The fast-food chain uses the chemical azodicarbonamide as a whitening agent and dough conditioner in its baked goods. Although its use is decreasing in the United States because of concerns that it is a carcinogen, the FDA still permits it. It is banned in Europe.
These popular breakfast cereals contain BHT, a flavor enhancer, which has long been studied for its potential carcinogenic properties; the evidence is inconclusive. It is banned in Japan and the European Union.
Trans fats like the partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils in Coffee-mate are linked to heart disease and were officially banned in the U.S. as of June 18, 2018. However, they still linger in the U.S. food supply. They are also banned in many other countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark.
You can make stuffing in just five minutes with this popular Kraft product. But the mix contains preservatives BHA and BHT, which are suspected to be carcinogenic and to impair blood clotting. This has caused these preservatives to be banned in the United Kingdom, Japan, and several European countries.
Drumstick uses carrageenan for texture in its ice cream, but the additive that is derived from seaweed can affect the human digestive system. The adverse effects have caused the European Union to limit it in products like baby food.
When consumers are tasting the rainbow of this popular candy, they are also ingesting food dyes Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40. These dyes have been known to have adverse effects on young children. They are banned in foods for infants in the European Union, and foods that contain the dyes must carry a warning label. Norway and Austria ban them completely
To add freshness to a package of Wheat Thins, Nabisco adds BHT to the packaging. The chemical is banned in the United Kingdom, Japan, and parts of Europe.
This sports drink claims to replenish electrolytes, but it also contains food dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. These artificial colors are banned in foods for infants and children in the European Union, and they must also carry warnings on all other products there. They are completely banned in Norway and Austria.
The colorful breakfast pastry contains food dyes Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40, which are still deemed safe to eat domestically but are partially banned in the European Union.
This breakfast food uses the flavor enhancer BHT, a suspected carcinogen that is banned in the European Union and Japan.
This colorful breakfast cereal gets its rainbow hue by using additives Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40, which must contain warning labels in the European Union. They are also banned in Norway and Austria. They are permitted in the U.S. even though they are known to cause itching and hives for some
Potassium bromate is added to bread dough as a strengthener that creates a higher rise, reduces baking time and cost, and gives finished loaves a bright white color. But the chemical is also linked to cancer, nervous system damage, and kidney damage. Potassium bromate is banned in the United Kingdom, Canada, Peru, and many other coun
Potassium bromate is added to bread dough as a strengthener that creates a higher rise, reduces baking time and cost, and gives finished loaves a bright white color. But the chemical is also linked to cancer, nervous system damage, and kidney damage. Potassium bromate is banned in the United Kingdom, Canada, Peru, and many other countries, but is still ubiquitous in many American bread products including bagel chips, rolls, and even breadcrumbs.
The bright color of Tostitos Salsa Con Queso Dip is derived by food additives Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. These artificial colors are banned in Norway and Austria and must contain warnings on labels in the European Union.
Nabisco’s Ritz is the third-leading cracker brand in the United States. Its namesake cracker contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, which is a trans fat that is currently banned domestically and in many other countries like Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark.
This grapefruit-flavored citrus drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company contains flame retardant bromine to prevent the separation of ingredients. BVO is banned in Europe.
In the United States and parts of Asia, farmers are cultivating virus-resistant variants of the fruit. These genetically engineered offshoots are legal to eat in the U.S. and Canada, but illegal in the European Union.
The Pillsbury doughboy’s biscuits make it simple to have freshly baked bread in minutes. However, these baked goods also contain trans fats in the form of partially hydrogenated soybean oil, which is known to cause heart disease.
The citrus drink contains artificial colors that are restricted in Europe. Products that contain Yellow 6 and Red 40 must include warning labels in the European Union. These dyes are also banned in Norway and Austria.
Baking brownies couldn’t be easier with this popular mix. However, a closer look at the ingredients reveals the product still contains trans fats in the form of partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil. Trans fats were recently banned in the U.S., but a few still remain. They are also banned in Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark.
Pillsbury brings the convenience of a ready-made pie crust to kitchens across the country. However, this product is banned in the United Kingdom, Japan, and parts of Europe because it contains both BHA and BHT. The substances are suspected to be carcinogenic and have been linked to impaired blood clotting.
This popular jiggling dessert is low in calories and free from artificial sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. But its color is far from natural. It contains Red 40, which is restricted in Europe and illegal in Norway and Austria.
This sweetener—made from pure fructose and sugar—is linked to a variety of ailments like obesity and Type 2 diabetes. It’s found in everything from beverages to cereals and ice cream. While it isn’t banned specifically in any country, the U.K. and some European countries have restricted the products and placed them under quota limitations.
Rolling out and baking these flaky rolls couldn’t be easier. But their ingredients aren’t that simple. The dough contains artificial colors Yellow 5 and Red 40, which are restricted in Europe and illegal in Norway and Austria.
Olestra is a fat substitute the FDA approved in 1996 to make snacks and chips guilt-free. However, side effects of the additive include abdominal cramping and loose stools. The fat substitute also inhibits the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. It’s banned in Canada and many European countries.
Knowing the side effects and doing research on the additives in ones food can improve health for you and your family!
Thanks to Stacker.com for the information on Food https://stacker.com/stories/2109/what-average-american-eats-year
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When you go to the grocery store, have you noticed foods with messaging like “no GMOs” or “contains bioengineered ingredients” on the packaging? Most likely, you have seen a range of ways food manufacturers have chosen to share (or not share) this information. But starting January 1, 2022, USDA regulations specify how foods sold in the United States that are bioengineered or contain bioengineered ingredients must disclose that information to consumers.
Background
In July 2016, President Obama signed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law (NBFDL), requiring food manufacturers to disclose the presence of bioengineered foods and ingredients. A “bioengineered” plant or animal has had a new gene inserted into it to give it a useful trait. GMO papayas, for example, have been given a gene that makes them resistant to the ringspot virus. “Bioengineering” is a synonym for the more familiar terms “GMOs,” “genetically modified”, and “genetically engineered.” A bioengineered food or ingredient must contain some of the newly introduced DNA.
The Required Disclosure
The NBFDL and USDA’s regulations require all foods and ingredients that have modified DNA to make a disclosure using one of four methods of the food manufacturer’s choice. First, the food product can include the words “this is a bioengineered food” or “contains bioengineered ingredients” on the food product packaging near the ingredient list. Second, the food product can include the “bioengineered” symbol that USDA created in that same location. The third option is to put the disclosure online. The food manufacturer includes a QR code on the food package that takes you to an online webpage with the disclosure information (after you scan it with your smartphone camera). Finally, the food manufacturer can include a phone number on the package, which the consumer can call or text and receive the information about bioengineered content.
These last two options are the reason the requirement is considered a disclosure rather than labeling. For all the disclosure options, the food manufacturer need not identify the specific engineered ingredient, so the consumer does not know which of the many ingredients in the product are bioengineered, only that the food contains at least one bioengineered ingredient. (CSPI’s position is that food manufacturers should be able to substitute the more familiar terms for “bioengineered” in the disclosure and identify the specific bioengineered ingredients in a product.)
Food Manufacturers May Disclose “Derived From” Ingredients
If one or more of a food’s ingredients comes from a bioengineered plant, but the ingredients themselves contain no DNA from that plant, the label may carry a “derived from bioengineering” disclosure, but it does not have to. This would apply to ingredients made from a bioengineered plant that are so highly processed that none of the plant’s modified DNA remains. Some example ingredients include corn or canola oil, sugar, or high fructose corn syrup. In 2018, the Center for Science in the Public Interest—and even some food companies—urged the USDA to make “derived” disclosures mandatory. (CSPI’s position is that we support the “derived from” distinction but that the requirement for those foods should be mandatory not voluntary.)
Exemptions From Disclosure
The law and regulations identify several exemptions from disclosure. These include restaurant food, foods produced by very small manufacturers, and products from animals that were fed bioengineered crops. Probably the most important exemption for consumers is the exemption for food products that contain meat, poultry, and/or eggs. The new disclosure rules don’t cover products that list meat, poultry, or eggs as their first ingredient (or their second ingredient after water, stock, or broth) because those product labels are regulated by other USDA statutes. However, all food products with meat, poultry, or eggs as the second ingredient (or third where broth or water is the first ingredient) do require disclosure if they contain a bioengineered ingredient. This also means that if, in the future, we have bioengineered meat, poultry, or eggs, and they are the main ingredient in a food, there will be no disclosure requirement.
Non-GMO Disclosures
The law and regulations do not regulate claims asserting that the product is free of GMOs. Consequently, any food manufacturer can set its own standard for what constitutes a non-GMO food and claim their product meets that standard. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization verifying products that meet its non-GMO standard. However, they also verify products that don’t have a GMO counterpart, such as unseasoned almonds or orange juice (there are no engineered almonds or oranges produced anywhere in the world). One way to avoid bioengineered ingredients is to purchase foods with the USDA “organic” symbol as that government program does not allow the use of bioengineered seeds, animals, or ingredients. (CSPI’s position is that USDA should have established a definition of what constitutes a “non-GMO” food.)
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