. FOOD CHEMICALS:  How so-called *safe* synthetic and industrialized additives get in your food—and why they are now being scrutinized . Many ‘safe’ chemical additives in food now getting scrutinized Associated Press From oil in Gatorade to the amount of caffeine and other stimulants in energy drinks and the so-called “pink slime” found in beef, previously unnoticed ingredients are coming under scrutiny as health-conscious consumers demand more information about what they eat and drink, and sometimes go public via social networking and the Internet. ________________________ (comic-Stephanie McMillan;cartoonmovement.com) .
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FOOD CHEMICALS:  How so-called *safe* synthetic and industrialized additives get in your food—and why they are now being scrutinized

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Many ‘safe’ chemical additives in food now getting scrutinized

Associated Press


From oil in Gatorade to the amount of caffeine and other stimulants in energy drinks and the so-called “pink slime” found in beef, previously unnoticed ingredients are coming under scrutiny as health-conscious consumers demand more information about what they eat and drink, and sometimes go public via social networking and the Internet.

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(comic-Stephanie McMillan;cartoonmovement.com)

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. FOOD CHEMICALS:  What to Avoid and How to Do It…Easy Tips! .           A short-list of what to avoid Preservatives (incl. Sodium Benzoate, BHT, BHA, TBHQ, Sulfites/Sulfur Dioxide, EDTA, Nitrates/Nitrites, Propyl Gallate) Dyes/Coloring (incl. Yellow 5/Tartrazine, Yellow 6, Caramel coloring) Additives (incl. MSG/Monosodium Glutamate, Synthetic Sweeteners, BVO) Pesticides Synthetic Animal Growth Hormones Synthetic Animal Antibiotics (and other animal drugs) Genetically Modified foods . __________________ . Seven Easy Tips for Avoiding Unwanted Food Chemicals   1-Read the labels!  While the FDA does not require food manufacturers to list ingredients they get from outside suppliers, many of the harmful synthetic and industrialized food chemicals appear right on the Ingredients Label.  (Note: Watch for our upcoming book…an easy, user-friendly, How-To guide for avoiding synthetic food chemicals that you can take with you when you shop.)   2-Learn to cook.  Invest in a good general cookbook—they can be found for as low as $3.00 online.  Preparing your own fresh, homemade meals and snacks can help you avoid unwanted food chemicals, is far more economical than buying packaged versions that are already prepared, and will taste so much better!   3-Avoid processed/packaged foods.  This means not only snack foods but prepared sauces and condiments like salad dressing, as well—nearly all of these processed foods contain problematic preservatives and other additives to make them appear “appealing” and prevent spoilage due to the long period of time required for storage, shipment and shelf-life.   4-Shop organic.  This will greatly reduce the level of pesticides on fruits, vegetables and nuts you are exposed to, as well as animal hormones, antibiotics and other animal drugs in meat and dairy products.  As for synthetic and industrialized chemicals in packaged foods, you will still need to read the labels.  Skip foods marked “natural” and only purchase those foods with the green and white “USDA Certified 100% Organic” label.   5-Minimize restaurant food.  Both mainstream “regular” restaurants and fast food restaurants use ingredients (often purchased from outside vendors) for salads, appetizers and meals that contain problematic synthetic and industrialized food chemicals.  Sulfites sprayed on lettuce, fish, fruits and vegetables to maintain their “fresh” appearance, food dyes to make food items appear “pretty”, flavor enhancers like MSG, and preservatives to permit food ingredients to make it through the long road they must travel, are just a few examples.  Unfortunately, asking your waiter or chef about synthetic/industrialized food chemicals would likely be a waste of time—oftentimes even the restaurant managers have no idea what chemicals their suppliers have included in the food ingredients items.  If you want to avoid unwanted, problematic food chemicals the solution is to minimize eating out, learn how to prepare your own tasty snacks and meals, and start a new trend by having friends and families take turns hosting freshly prepared meals for social gatherings.   6-Clean fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly.  Removing pesticides requires more than just scrubbing under running water.  Making an easy, affordable homemade solution from common household ingredients like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice will do the trick, however.  Please see our blog archives or other online sources for recipes for these pesticide-removal solutions.   7-Watch our blog to get the latest information on synthetic and industrialized food chemicals as well as the latest research findings, clean-food advocacy and activism updates, tips, and recipes for fresh, homemade meals and snacks free of unwanted chemicals. (Also: check out our blog archives for yummy, easy-to-prepare chemical-free snack and meal recipes!) . chemicalfreelife www.Chemical-Free-Life.org ChemicalFreeLife.tumblr.com
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FOOD CHEMICALS:  What to Avoid and How to Do It…Easy Tips!

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           A short-list of what to avoid

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Seven Easy Tips for Avoiding Unwanted Food Chemicals

 

1-Read the labels!  While the FDA does not require food manufacturers to list ingredients they get from outside suppliers, many of the harmful synthetic and industrialized food chemicals appear right on the Ingredients Label.  (Note: Watch for our upcoming book…an easy, user-friendly, How-To guide for avoiding synthetic food chemicals that you can take with you when you shop.)

 

2-Learn to cook.  Invest in a good general cookbook—they can be found for as low as $3.00 online.  Preparing your own fresh, homemade meals and snacks can help you avoid unwanted food chemicals, is far more economical than buying packaged versions that are already prepared, and will taste so much better!

 

3-Avoid processed/packaged foods.  This means not only snack foods but prepared sauces and condiments like salad dressing, as well—nearly all of these processed foods contain problematic preservatives and other additives to make them appear “appealing” and prevent spoilage due to the long period of time required for storage, shipment and shelf-life.

 

4-Shop organic.  This will greatly reduce the level of pesticides on fruits, vegetables and nuts you are exposed to, as well as animal hormones, antibiotics and other animal drugs in meat and dairy products.  As for synthetic and industrialized chemicals in packaged foods, you will still need to read the labels.  Skip foods marked “natural” and only purchase those foods with the green and white “USDA Certified 100% Organic” label.

 

5-Minimize restaurant food.  Both mainstream “regular” restaurants and fast food restaurants use ingredients (often purchased from outside vendors) for salads, appetizers and meals that contain problematic synthetic and industrialized food chemicals.  Sulfites sprayed on lettuce, fish, fruits and vegetables to maintain their “fresh” appearance, food dyes to make food items appear “pretty”, flavor enhancers like MSG, and preservatives to permit food ingredients to make it through the long road they must travel, are just a few examples.  Unfortunately, asking your waiter or chef about synthetic/industrialized food chemicals would likely be a waste of time—oftentimes even the restaurant managers have no idea what chemicals their suppliers have included in the food ingredients items.  If you want to avoid unwanted, problematic food chemicals the solution is to minimize eating out, learn how to prepare your own tasty snacks and meals, and start a new trend by having friends and families take turns hosting freshly prepared meals for social gatherings.

 

6-Clean fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly.  Removing pesticides requires more than just scrubbing under running water.  Making an easy, affordable homemade solution from common household ingredients like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice will do the trick, however.  Please see our blog archives or other online sources for recipes for these pesticide-removal solutions.

 

7-Watch our blog to get the latest information on synthetic and industrialized food chemicals as well as the latest research findings, clean-food advocacy and activism updates, tips, and recipes for fresh, homemade meals and snacks free of unwanted chemicals. (Also: check out our blog archives for yummy, easy-to-prepare chemical-free snack and meal recipes!)

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chemicalfreelife

www.Chemical-Free-Life.org

ChemicalFreeLife.tumblr.com

(via additiveandcrueltyfree)

Source: chemicalfreelife

FOOD CHEMICALS:  Give it to the U.S. They’ll Eat Anything. . US allows chemicals in food that are illegal elsewhere Food companies…have reformulated their products for other countries — including members of the European Union, China, Australia, Japan and India — but seem reluctant to change their products in the U.S. until they must. “The FDA has been extremely lenient in evaluating food additives, and it’s almost impossible to get the FDA to ban an additive once they have approved it…It’s just not as public health-oriented as it should be.” . .
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FOOD CHEMICALS:  Give it to the U.S. They’ll Eat Anything.

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US allows chemicals in food that are illegal elsewhere

Food companies…have reformulated their products for other countries — including members of the European Union, China, Australia, Japan and India — but seem reluctant to change their products in the U.S. until they must.

“The FDA has been extremely lenient in evaluating food additives, and it’s almost impossible to get the FDA to ban an additive once they have approved it…It’s just not as public health-oriented as it should be.”

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. FOOD CHEMICALS:  Synthetic Additives in Fast Food Trigger Asthma, Rhinitis, and Eczema? . Fast Food Diet Linked to Asthma and Eczema Severity in Kids, Large Study Finds Eating three or more weekly servings of fast food is linked to the severity of allergic asthma, eczema, and rhinitis among children in the developed world, indicates a large international study published online in the respiratory journal Thorax. Three or more weekly servings were linked to a 39% increased risk of severe asthma among teens and a 27% increased risk among children, as well as to the severity of rhinitis and eczema, overall. .
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FOOD CHEMICALS:  Synthetic Additives in Fast Food Trigger Asthma, Rhinitis, and Eczema?

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Fast Food Diet Linked to Asthma and Eczema Severity in Kids, Large Study Finds


Eating three or more weekly servings of fast food is linked to the severity of allergic asthma, eczema, and rhinitis among children in the developed world, indicates a large international study published online in the respiratory journal Thorax.

Three or more weekly servings were linked to a 39% increased risk of severe asthma among teens and a 27% increased risk among children, as well as to the severity of rhinitis and eczema, overall.

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PERSONAL CARE PRODUCT CHEMICALS:  Problematic Chemicals in Toothpaste . Toothpaste ingredients dentists say to avoid Today’s smart shoppers carefully study ingredient labels to make sure what they eat and drink is good for them, avoiding artificial and overly processed food. They know to watch out for artificial flavors and colors, trans fats, preservatives and chemical stabilizers because long-term consumption has been shown to cause health problems. However, there is one ingredient label that most of us have never checked, says Dentist and Oral Health Expert Dr. Harold Katz, and it is one label he highly recommends we read. “You will brush your teeth 1,000 times per year or more, and each time you do, you will ingest some toothpaste. If you think that is not a problem, think again,” says Dr Katz. “Some of the ingredients in many commercial toothpastes are undeniably bad for you.” To help conscientious brushers know what to watch out for, Dr Katz put together the following list of harmful ingredients: * FD&C blue dye No. 2. This dye is in many toothpastes, but the Center for Science in the Public Interest warns against it as it might be related to learning and behavioral issues, severe allergic reactions and other health problems. * Sodium lauryl sulfate. The American College of Toxicology says it can cause skin corrosion, irritation and canker sores. In lab rats, the ingredient led to depression, diarrhea and death. * Triclosan. The anti-microbial ingredient is listed as a pesticide and is used in OTC toothpaste and hand soap. But the Environmental Protection Agency demanded more research be conducted because of triclosan’s negative effects on thyroid and estrogen levels. * Saccharin and aspartame. Both are artificial sweeteners, and both made the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s list of additives to avoid. What nutritionists recommend you stick to with food should apply to oral care products as well, advises Katz. “Look for a toothpaste with natural ingredients like Aloe Juice and Tea Tree Oil. Xylitol is an excellent cavity fighting sweetener. And avoid toothpastes with added colors — they serve no purpose and can actually decrease the whiteness of your teeth over time.” .
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PERSONAL CARE PRODUCT CHEMICALS:  Problematic Chemicals in Toothpaste

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Toothpaste ingredients dentists say to avoid

Today’s smart shoppers carefully study ingredient labels to make sure what they eat and drink is good for them, avoiding artificial and overly processed food. They know to watch out for artificial flavors and colors, trans fats, preservatives and chemical stabilizers because long-term consumption has been shown to cause health problems. However, there is one ingredient label that most of us have never checked, says Dentist and Oral Health Expert Dr. Harold Katz, and it is one label he highly recommends we read.

“You will brush your teeth 1,000 times per year or more, and each time you do, you will ingest some toothpaste. If you think that is not a problem, think again,” says Dr Katz. “Some of the ingredients in many commercial toothpastes are undeniably bad for you.”

To help conscientious brushers know what to watch out for, Dr Katz put together the following list of harmful ingredients:

* FD&C blue dye No. 2. This dye is in many toothpastes, but the Center for Science in the Public Interest warns against it as it might be related to learning and behavioral issues, severe allergic reactions and other health problems.

* Sodium lauryl sulfate. The American College of Toxicology says it can cause skin corrosion, irritation and canker sores. In lab rats, the ingredient led to depression, diarrhea and death.

* Triclosan. The anti-microbial ingredient is listed as a pesticide and is used in OTC toothpaste and hand soap. But the Environmental Protection Agency demanded more research be conducted because of triclosan’s negative effects on thyroid and estrogen levels.

* Saccharin and aspartame. Both are artificial sweeteners, and both made the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s list of additives to avoid.

What nutritionists recommend you stick to with food should apply to oral care products as well, advises Katz. “Look for a toothpaste with natural ingredients like Aloe Juice and Tea Tree Oil. Xylitol is an excellent cavity fighting sweetener. And avoid toothpastes with added colors — they serve no purpose and can actually decrease the whiteness of your teeth over time.”



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FOOD CHEMICALS:  Coke and Pepsi Reduce Levels of Sulfites and Ammonia [Caramel Food Dye] to Avoid *Cancer* Labels

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Coke, Pepsi change colour process to avoid being slapped with cancer sticker

The artificial brown coloring is made using sugars with ammonia and sulfites under high pressure and temperatures, which results in the chemicals being produced, according to the CSPI.

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FOOD CHEMICALS:  TOXIC FOOD DYE in SODA . Lab Tests Find Carcinogen in Regular and Diet Coke and Pepsi New chemical analyses have found that Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Diet Coke, and Diet Pepsi contain high levels of 4-methylimidazole (4-MI), a known animal carcinogen. The carcinogen forms when ammonia or ammonia and sulfites are used to manufacture the “caramel coloring” that gives those sodas their distinctive brown colors, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the nonprofit watchdog group that commissioned the tests. CSPI first petitioned the FDA to ban ammonia-sulfite caramel coloring in February 2011 . Sodas Contain Animal Carcinogen, Study Finds Today’s leading cola beverages contain high levels of a substance linked to cancer in animals, according to new research.  An independent study commissioned by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) uncovered  4-methylimidazole, or 4-MI, in Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi and Diet Pepsi at levels 4.8 times greater than those allowed in beverages in California. 4-MI is a byproduct of the reaction that produces the caramel coloring in brown sodas. The chemical has been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies.    The state of California has banned 4-MI in any amount that could potentially lead to one cancer case in 100,000 people. However the levels found in these 4 leading Cola brands indicated a lifetime risk of 5 cancers out of 100,000, assuming that people drink one soft drink per day. That risk rises to 10 cancers out of 100,000 people who drink only soft drinks containing caramel coloring.  The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets an even more conservative risk limit for contaminant in food additives of 1 cancer in 1,000,000 people.  But the study reported rates of 4-MI that are associated with 48 cancers in 1,000,000.  “Coke and Pepsi, with the acquiescence of the FDA, are needlessly exposing millions of Americans to a chemical that causes cancer,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson.  ”The coloring is completely cosmetic, adding nothing to the flavor of the product.  If companies can make brown food coloring that is carcinogen-free, the industry should use that.  And industry seems to be moving in that direction.  Otherwise, the FDA needs to protect consumers from this risk by banning the coloring.”  In a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg Monday, CSPI shared the results of its study. The document served as an addition to the group’s petition of last year, which called on FDA to ban caramel colorings made with processes that generate 2-MI and 4-MI.  The study also found 4-MI in Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper, but at lower levels than the other 4 brands. A sample of Whole Foods’ 365 cola had a concentration of 47 micrograms of 4-MI in a can, as opposed to the almost 150 micrograms found in a can of Coca-Cola.  The analysis was limited to 13 samples - 1 of Whole Foods’ 365 and 2 of each other brand - all purchased in the Washington, D.C. area.  By Gretchen Goetz, © Food Safety News .
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FOOD CHEMICALS:  TOXIC FOOD DYE in SODA

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Lab Tests Find Carcinogen in Regular and Diet Coke and Pepsi

New chemical analyses have found that Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Diet Coke, and Diet Pepsi contain high levels of 4-methylimidazole (4-MI), a known animal carcinogen. The carcinogen forms when ammonia or ammonia and sulfites are used to manufacture the “caramel coloring” that gives those sodas their distinctive brown colors, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the nonprofit watchdog group that commissioned the tests. CSPI first petitioned the FDA to ban ammonia-sulfite caramel coloring in February 2011

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Sodas Contain Animal Carcinogen, Study Finds

Today’s leading cola beverages contain high levels of a substance linked to cancer in animals, according to new research. 
An independent study commissioned by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) uncovered  4-methylimidazole, or 4-MI, in Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi and Diet Pepsi at levels 4.8 times greater than those allowed in beverages in California.
4-MI is a byproduct of the reaction that produces the caramel coloring in brown sodas. The chemical has been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies.   
The state of California has banned 4-MI in any amount that could potentially lead to one cancer case in 100,000 people. However the levels found in these 4 leading Cola brands indicated a lifetime risk of 5 cancers out of 100,000, assuming that people drink one soft drink per day. That risk rises to 10 cancers out of 100,000 people who drink only soft drinks containing caramel coloring. 
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets an even more conservative risk limit for contaminant in food additives of 1 cancer in 1,000,000 people.  But the study reported rates of 4-MI that are associated with 48 cancers in 1,000,000. 
“Coke and Pepsi, with the acquiescence of the FDA, are needlessly exposing millions of Americans to a chemical that causes cancer,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson.  ”The coloring is completely cosmetic, adding nothing to the flavor of the product.  If companies can make brown food coloring that is carcinogen-free, the industry should use that.  And industry seems to be moving in that direction.  Otherwise, the FDA needs to protect consumers from this risk by banning the coloring.” 
In a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg Monday, CSPI shared the results of its study. The document served as an addition to the group’s petition of last year, which called on FDA to ban caramel colorings made with processes that generate 2-MI and 4-MI. 
The study also found 4-MI in Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper, but at lower levels than the other 4 brands. A sample of Whole Foods’ 365 cola had a concentration of 47 micrograms of 4-MI in a can, as opposed to the almost 150 micrograms found in a can of Coca-Cola. 
The analysis was limited to 13 samples - 1 of Whole Foods’ 365 and 2 of each other brand - all purchased in the Washington, D.C. area. 

By Gretchen Goetz, © Food Safety News




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FOOD CHEMICALS:  FOOD DYE in PICKLES Yellow Dye 5 (Tartrazine) common in commercial (non-organic) pickles . Beware of artificial food coloring chemicals in pickles - it’s what … Beware of artificial food coloring chemicals in pickles - it’s what makes them appear more yellow. . Approximately 60%-70% of all dyes used in food and textile manufacturing are what are called azo dyes, processed from industrial waste. The ingredient responsible for the yellow color in many commercial pickles is the azo dye tartrazine, made from coal-tar derivatives. Many azo dyes are known to be mutagenic, meaning they cause mutations (changes in cell DNA). The National Cancer Institute has stated that mutagenic substances are carcinogens..
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FOOD CHEMICALS:  FOOD DYE in PICKLES

Yellow Dye 5 (Tartrazine) common in commercial (non-organic) pickles

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Beware of artificial food coloring chemicals in pickles - it’s what …

Beware of artificial food coloring chemicals in pickles - it’s what makes them appear more yellow.

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Approximately 60%-70% of all dyes used in food and textile manufacturing are what are called azo dyes, processed from industrial waste. The ingredient responsible for the yellow color in many commercial pickles is the azo dye tartrazine, made from coal-tar derivatives. Many azo dyes are known to be mutagenic, meaning they cause mutations (changes in cell DNA). The National Cancer Institute has stated that mutagenic substances are carcinogens.
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