Food Additives

Senomyx Flavors In Your Food

2010-11-15T16:57:00.000-08:00

Senomyx is a company that's been around for a few years. It makes genetically engineered flavors for your food. Their ingredients will never be listed on the label because they are used in such small amounts that the FDA allows them to lump them into the categories of artificial or natural flavors.

Even though you may never have heard of them, they sell their flavors to most of the major processed food producers and are making profits in the billions of dollars.

So, if they're used in such small amounts, why should you even be concerned?

Because they are genetically engineered and when you eat GE food, you are a part of a huge experiment that no one know the outcome to. There is enough evidence that eating GE and GMO food is damaging to your health. But the big issue here is that you will never know when you are eating foods with these GE ingredients or any other of the many GE ingredients already in processed food. You are a human guinea pig!

Read more about Senomyx. This article was well researched and written.

Now read about how you can avoid GE foods.

Get a FREE Healthy Eating e-class here.

What's In Those Chicken McNuggets You Feed Your Kids?

2010-11-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Did you know that McDonald's Chicken McNuggets are less than 50% chicken?

They are 56% corn, from corn starch, partially hydrogenated corn oil, numerous food additives derived from corn and the chicken being fed corn.

But that's not all.

There are other syntheric ingredients derived from petroleum in Chicken McNuggets to keep them fresh ... like sodium aluminum phosphate, mono-calcium phosphate and sodium acid pyrophosphate.

In addition, "there are "anti-foaming agents" like dimethylpolysiloxane, added to the cooking oil to keep the starches from binding to air molecules." This chemical "is a suspected carcinogen and an established mutagen, tumorigen, and reproductive effector; it's also flammable."

"But perhaps the most alarming ingredient in a Chicken McNugget is tertiary butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, an antioxidant derived from petroleum that is either sprayed directly on the nugget or the inside of the box it comes in to "help preserve freshness." According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, TBHQ is a form of butane (i.e. lighter fluid) the FDA allows processors to use sparingly in our food: It can comprise no more than 0.02 percent of the oil in a nugget. Which is probably just as well, considering that ingesting a single gram of TBHQ can cause "nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, delirium, a sense of suffocation, and collapse." Ingesting five grams of TBHQ can kill."

Now the next time you think about stopping at McDonald's for Chicken McNuggets or any of their other highly processed and preserved chemical concoctions, ask yourself ... "Is this what I really want to feed my kids?"

Just imagine what these chemicals are doing to yours and their health.

Read more.

Learn more about healthy food and healthy cooking.

Answer to ... What do gluten and MSG have in common?

2010-11-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

They're found in some of the same ingredients like

hydrolyzed wheat protein
stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl (hydrolyzed wheat protein)
hydroxypropyltrimonium (hydrolyzed wheat protein)
hydrolyzed malt extract
hydrolyzed vegetable protein
maltodextrin (can be from barley)

These ingredients can be found in food as well as cosmetics and personal care products. So they can be enter your body either when you eat food containing these chemicals or when you apply products to your skin that contain them.

Guten and MSG

2010-11-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

Question: What do gluten and MSG have in common?

Leave your thoughts in the comments.

I'll post the answer later this week.

The Truth About Artificial Sweeteners

2010-10-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard that artificial sweeteners will help you lose weight. After all, when you consume diet beverages and foods, you're eating fewer calories, so that must be true, right?

Wrong!

With the glut of diet foods on the market and the volumes being sold, if they worked, you'd expect that the majority of people would be slim and trim.

However, the opposite is true. Nearly 70% of the population is overweight or obese, and the figure is growing every year. The rate of obesity is even increasing with children.

So, now that you know that artificial sweeteners don't help you lose weight, let's look at some of the popular sugar substitutes and see why they're not a healthy choice.

The manufacturers and the FDA say they're safe. But, let's take a look at the facts.

Aspartame, also known as NutraSweet and Equal, can cause a wide variety of symptoms from headaches, difficulty breathing, speech impairment, chest pain, dizziness, memory loss to seizures, blindness and death. These are just a few of the 92 documented reactions to aspartame.

The symptoms caused by aspartame can mimic the symptoms present in various diseases. Therefore, people suffering from aspartame poisoning can be misdiagnosed with a disease, such as Alzheimer's, epilepsy, severe depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's to name just a few.

Acesulfame-K, or acesulfame-potassium, in some studies has caused cancer in lab animals. It has not been fully tested for safety.

Saccharin, in the past, was listed as a carcinogen. However, due to industry pressure, it was delisted and said to be safe. Yet, there are still scientists who consider saccharin to be a carcinogen.

Sucralose or Splenda is chlorinated sugar. Contrary to manufacturer claims, it is partially absorbed by the body, up to 40% according to the Japanese Food Sanitation Council. Splenda has been shown to shrink the thymus gland, enlarge the liver and kidneys, cause miscarriages and diarrhea in animal studies. It contains small amounts of dangerous contaminants, like heavy metals, methanol and arsenic. Splenda has not been adequately studied for safety. No studies have been done on children or pregnant women.

These are the worst of the artificial sweeteners on the market. But that doesn't mean the others are safe.

Your best choices for sweetening your foods and beverages are organic whole cane sugar, organic maple syrup, raw organic tupelo honey and stevia.

Learn more about food additives.

Find out the real secret to losing weight.

What Are FD&C Colors?

2010-09-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever looked at the ingredients in a packaged food you bought and seen that it contained FD&C colors, like FD&C Red No. 40 or FD&C Yellow No. 5? Did you ever wonder what FD&C means and where the colors come from?

FD&C stands for Food, Drugs & Cosmetics. These colors are approved by the FDA to be used in Food, Drugs & Cosmetics. They are artificial colors. Most are derived from coal tar, a petrochemical which is known to cause cancer.

Now, while the FD&C colors themselves may not be "known" to cause cancer, many are potential carcinogens or may be contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals.

FD&C Colors are certified by the FDA to not contain more than 10 parts per million (ppm) of lead and arsenic, both of which are poisonous to the human body. The FDA does not address any other harmful effects these colors may have on human health.

Sometimes you will just see ingredients like Red 40 or Yellow No. 5. They're still FD&C colors. Any time you see a color with a number on a food package, it's an FD&C color.

These artificial colors can contribute to hyperactivity in children. They may also contribute to learning and visual disorders and nerve damage.

Coal tar is not a food and was never meant to be consumed by humans, and like most food additives, has never been proven safe.

Learn more about food additives and get free tips here.

Approval of GMO Sugar Beets Rescinded

2010-08-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

At least for now, the sugar beets used to make refined sugar will not be genetically engineered. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required before the planting of GM sugar beets can be approved. It is estimated that the EIS will be ready in 2012.

Read the article.

Will the Real Antioxidant Please Stand Up!

2010-08-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Everywhere you turn these days, you read or hear about how antioxidants are supposed to be good for your health. But there's a difference between real food antioxidants and chemical antioxidants.

The chemical antioxidants in processed foods are designed to preserve and give a long shelf life to the chemical concoctions in the package, NOT preserve your health! The antioxidants used to keep packaged foods from spoiling are not the healthy antioxidants you get from eating real whole food.

Learn more in the article, Fake Antioxidants - Don't Be Fooled!

For more information on how to determine which ingredients in your food are safe and which are not, click here.

Which Label Do You Read?

2010-08-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

When you're looking for healthy packaged food products, it makes a difference which label you read. Each package has 3 labels that you can read:

the front of the package
the nutrition facts
the ingredients list

Which of these 3 is the most important?

Manufacturers want you to read the front of the package. That's where they tell you what they want you to believe about the contents of the box, bottle or jar. Processed food manufacturers often lie about the healthfulness of what's in the food packages they produce. This is the last place you should look.

Many organizations that give out healthy eating information say that you should read the nutrition facts. They stress the importance of eating foods low in sodium and saturated fats. But this is not the most important thing for you to know about a packaged food before you decide to buy it.

The first place you should look when you pick up a packaged food is the ingredients list. This is the last place that the manufacturers want you to look. They don't want you to know about the harmful chemicals they put in your food to give it a better taste, texture or a longer shelf life. In many cases, they make it hard for you to even see the ingredients list. The print is so tiny and in a color that blends in with the packaging that it's hard to make it out without a powerful magnifying glass. Get in the habit of carrying one with you when you shop.

Label readers eat healthier according to two new reports in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. And healthy eating helps you to live a healthier life. Click here to read more about these studies.

If you're not knowledgeable about food additives, then reading ingredients lists may be a big challenge. But, don't dismay, there's help available. Get started right now with some Free Food Additives Tips.

Umami Is Not U-Friend!

2010-07-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

Umami, also known as Taste No. 5, is a flavor enhancer. It is free glutamic acid; i.e. hidden MSG. As you may already know, if you've read anything about the adverse effects of MSG, it is a neurotoxin and excititoxin. It excites your brain cells to death.

Something you might not know is that umami is hidden in certain foods. You can guess that it might be in the product if you read the label very carefully. For example, from the Umani website...

Parmesan cheese is one of the most umami rich foods in the world
The condiment Marmite, contains even more umami than Parmesan cheese
Cheddar cheese also contains umami

The ingredients in Kraft Parmesan Cheese are ...
Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Salt, Less than 2% of Enzymes, Cheese Culture, Cellulose Powder to Prevent Caking, Potassium Sorbate to Protect Flavor)

Unless you know other names of hidden MSG, you might not guess that Parmesan cheese contains MSG at all. The clue here is "enzymes."

According to the Truth in Labeling website, enzymes often contain free glutamic acid, which is a hidden source of MSG. What I find astounding is that parmesan cheese has such astronomical levels of MSG with enzymes being the main indicator of it's presence.

Make sure you check for hidden MSG in everything. AND ... Don't underestimate the amount of MSG potentially in a product by the ingredients list. It can be very deceptive.

Learn more about harmful food additives and get free food additives tips here.

Soy in your Food

2010-06-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

If you eat packaged processed foods, you are most likely eating soy, whether you want to or not. That is, unless you're checking ingredients lists to make sure the packaged products are free of soy.

Why would you want to avoid soy?

Most soy these days is genetically engineered and soy is not health food that food manufacturers want you to believe it is. In fact, soy is listed in the FDA's Poisonous Plant Database.

There are a large number of soy ingredients that are added to your food - soy oil, soy protein, soy lecithin, soy isolates, soy concentrates, hydrolyzed soy protein - to name just a few.

To learn more about the dangers of soy, click here.

To learn about other dangerous chemicals added to your food, click here.

Artificial Flavors

2010-06-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder what gives artificially flavored foods their orange, grape, cherry or pineapple flavoring?

These flavors may taste somewhat similar to the real thing, but in terms of safety, watch out!

You'll find some of these fake flavors in processed foods like beverages, baked goods, ice cream, candy, gelatin desserts, puddings, ices, chewing gum, icings and even in vitamins.

Most of these artificial flavors have not been adequately tested.

With the little bit that is known about their safety, many are "harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin." Some are "toxic if ingested." At least one that I know of "can be fatal if inhaled." It's also toxic when you eat it.

Because manufacturers are not required to disclose the chemicals used in creating their artificial flavors, you don't know which toxic chemicals are in the flavorings in the packaged foods you buy, or how toxic they are.

Make sure there are NO artificial flavors in the foods you buy for yourself or your famly.

Click here to get Free Food Additives Tips and learn more about the safety of the additives in your food.

Is Splenda a Healthy Sweetener?

2010-06-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Splenda is chlorinated sugar. It's an artificial sweetener that can actually be made totally from chemicals, without any sugar.

The manufacturer claims that it is not metabolized by the body. However, according to the FDA it is partially absorbed and metabolized by the body, 11-27%. And according to the Japanese Food Council it is 40% absorbed and metabolized.

It's promoted as a safe sweetener with zero calories. However, there have been no long-term human studies on the safety of Splenda, and no studies on its safety for children and pregnant women.

Animal studies have shown Splenda to cause shrunken thymus gland, enlarged liver and kidneys, miscarriage and diarrhea. Small amounts of dangerous contaminants have been detected, such as heavy metals, methanol, arsenic and more.

Those with chlorine allergies may suffer severe reactions to splenda.

Bottom line, although Splenda is not as harmful as aspartame, it is definitely NOT a safe sweetener.

Learn more about food additives and get FREE Food Additives Tips here.

Canola Oil

2010-06-02T19:29:00.000-07:00

The industry would like you to think that canola oil is heart healthy and a good oil to use for cooking, baking and salads.

However, canola oil becomes rancid easily. Baked goods made with canola oil become moldy quickly.

Originally canola oil was hybridized rapeseed oil. Now most is genetically engineered (GE). You can't even say that organic canola oil is not GE because of all the cross contamination that occurs with GE crops growing near non-GE crops.

Canola oil is processed at extremely high temperatures - refined, bleached, degummed and deodorized. It may be contaminated with solvents used for extraction.

Much of the canola oil used in processed foods is partially hydrogenated. So it will contain trans fats.

Canola oil has been shown to

deplete the body's stores of vitamin E
cause heart problems
cause abnormal changes in blood platelets
retard growth
shorten the life span of lab animals.

In addition, no long term studies have been done on humans to determine its safety.

Learn more about food additives and how they affect your health.

Sweet Lies: How the Food Industry is Brainwashing the Public

2010-05-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

False and misleading nutrition information is being sold to the unsuspecting public through convincing TV, radio, magazine and newspaper ads and brilliantly designed marketing campaigns.

Chemical concoctions are being advertised as the latest and greatest new "healthy" foods. Synthetic food additives are being promoted as safe and "made from food." Because consumers are becoming more conscious of healthier choices, manufacturers are telling you that these fake foods with their artificial ingredients are good for you.

Stop and think. Don't be fooled. Consider where your health and nutrition information is coming from. When you get your nutrition information from the media, you're getting it from the food industry and companies that stand to benefit from you purchasing their products.

If you believe what you read from food industry ads, especially for processed foods, and from organizations that receive money from the food industry, you may be on your way to cancer, heart disease, diabetes or obesity ... if you're not already there.

Take for instance, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)...

Read more.

MSG Kills Your Brain Cells

2010-05-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

MSG is an excitotoxin. It excites your brain cells to death.

If you react to MSG and know it's an MSG reaction, you already know to be on the lookout for it in the foods you eat. But what you may not know that is there are more than a dozen different names of ingredients that are hiding places for MSG. Many of these ingredients sound perfectly natural and harmless, like broth and natural flavors.

In addition, packages may be labeled No MSG or No MSG Added and still contain MSG because of the different names for MSG. Manufacturers do this on purpose because it makes their empty calorie, nutrient deficient, chemicalized fake foods taste good.

Here are some additional common names that are hiding places for MSG:

* autolyzed yeast
* yeast extract
* calcium caseinate
* gelatin
* glutamic acid
* anything with "hydrolyzed" in its name
* protein extract

There are even more.

MSG is addictive and it makes you want to keep eating. It is a common cause of overeating and obesity. It may also cause headaches, slurred speech, itchiness, nausea, diabetes, and a whole host of other symptoms.

MSG is only one of the many dangerous food additives in the processed foods on the market today. Find out how you can protect yourself from food additive harm, and get free food additive tips too.

Aspartame, What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!

2010-05-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

Aspartame is one of the most toxic food additives on the market today. It's in over 4000 different products. It can mimic a variety of diseases that you may be taking drugs for when you don't even have the disease, but instead you may have aspartame poisoning.

Find out more about the deadly effects of aspartame here. If you use aspartame, even if you don't have any known adverse effects, you still need to read this.

Learn how you can avoid the harmful effects of food additives in the food you eat every day.

Healthy Eating Tips on Facebook

2010-04-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Become a fan of Healthy Eating Advisor on Facebook and get healthy eating tips, ask questions, share information about healthy eating and healthy recipes.

Click here to go the the Healthy Eating Advisor fan page.

Food Additives Tips

2010-04-26T18:36:00.001-07:00

Do you check the food packages before you buy to see if the ingredients contain any harmful food additives?

If you've ever looked at an ingredients list, you probably found that there were a lot of words that you didn't recognize. Those are the chemical additives that food manufacturers add to the food they produce to make it look better, give it a better texture and give it a shelf life of a year or more.

Many of these chemicals that manufacturers add to your food are harmful. Some even cause cancer.

Learn more about protecting yourself and your family from harmful chemicals in your food with Free Food Addtives Tips.

Sign up now! You'll be glad you did. Remember, it's free and you'll be doing your health a BIG favor.

Health Revolution Petition

2009-02-25T00:02:00.001-08:00

February 24 was the launch of the much-anticipated Health Revolution Petition.

This petition is a groundbreaking new petition that calls for real, revolutionary health freedom reforms in America! If its provisions are enacted, it would:

End FDA tyranny and oppression of natural product companies
End the persecution of alternative medicine and healing arts practitioners
Ban GMOs in the food supply and require honest labeling of irradiated foods
Protect America from CODEX "harmonization"
Allow full income tax deductions for ALL health-related expenditures (herbs, supplements, gym memberships, etc.)
Provide $350 a month in health care credits to each U.S. resident, allowing them to spend it on the health-enhancing products and services of their choice
End mandatory vaccination policies across America
Restore honest science to the FDA's review of drugs
Require the open publication of all drug trials
End Big Pharma's bribery of doctors
Hold drug company CEO's criminally liable for the harm caused by drugs they advertise to consumers
Restrict the advertising of junk foods and soda pop to children
Ban man-made, non-natural chemicals in personal care products
Invest in disease prevention and consumer education about nutrition
Protect the environment from dangerous drugs that pollute the water supply

... and more. If you believe in these things, and you are a resident or citizen of the USA, then please ...

Sign the Health Revolution Petition now!

High Fructose Corn Syrup Propaganda

2008-09-17T15:11:00.001-07:00

Have you seen the industry ads about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) being just like sugar and fine when used in moderation?

Take a look:

Ad for HFCS

Another ad for HFCS

Don't be fooled. They're probably seeing a drop in sales for some or many of their products that contain HFCS because people are becoming more aware that it's not a healthy ingredient.

The truth is HFCS is a synthetic chemical made through a complex chemical process, derived from corn starch using genetically engineered enzymes and most likely genetically engineered corn.

Studies show that HFCS is related to numerous diseases. Obesity is at an all time high since it's introduction. Children are now being diagnosed with type II diabetes, previously called "adult onset diabetes."

Forget the ads you see on TV, hear on the radio or read in newspapers and magazines. They're all paid for by the food industry because they want you to buy their products. Get your nutrition information from a reliable unbiased source that does NOT receive any money from the food or drug industries.

Learn more about food additives.

Food Additives and Hyperactivity in Kids

2008-09-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

The growing concern of parents about food additives causing hyperactivity in kids is leading the food industry to develop new food and drink products for kids that can claim to be free of artificial colors and flavors. The focus is on natural and organic.

Manufacturers are targeting more and more of their advertising directly to kids and at younger and younger ages. They are very conscious of making the packaging very appealing to kids.

Research shows that kids have more spending money and the food and drink manufacturers want to influence the kids to

spend it on their products
get their parents to spend it on their products.

What to watch out for here...

Even though these products claim to be natural and organic doesn't mean that the ingredients are all healthy. In fact, natural is not legally defined, so manufacturers can use it even if a product has no natural ingredients at all.

Anything produced in a laboratory is processed to some degree. It's not going to be as healthy as something picked from a tree or from your garden, or made from fresh produce from your grocery store, no matter how natural and organic it is.

If you must buy packaged products, it's vitally important that you read the ingredients list. Nothing else on the package has any meaning if the ingredients are not healthy.

If you don't understand every ingredient on the ingredients list, you can get help from the book, Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. It classifies the additives according to safety and you'll know, you won't have to guess, if the product inside the package is healthy or not. The book is even simple enough for your kids to use when they're choosing products they want to buy or want you to buy.

So, parents beware! The food manufacturers are targeting your kids with their advertising more than ever. Arm yourself with the tools that will help you and your kids to make informed choices.

Learn more about food additives.

Sweet Ingredients

2008-08-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

You've already seen that xylitol isn't as healthy as it's claimed to be. Neither are the other sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, mannitol and the rest of the "-tol's".

Artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, splenda, acesulfame-K and saccharin are across the board even worse.

You've been warned that genetically engineered sugar is on it's way to the grocery store shelves.

So what do you do when you want something sweet?

Look for these ingredients:

Stevia. You won't find this as an ingredient in a food item in the U.S., but you may find it in a tea or other product classified as a nutritional supplement. You can buy it in a dark liquid, clear liquid or powder. Make sure it's the Paraguayan variety, not the Chinese.

Pure maple syrup. This is one of the healthiest sweeteners. Organic grade B is recommended.

Raw honey. Just remember it should not be given to young children. If you're buying honey, buy the local variety.

Rapadura. Unrefined, unbleached organic dehydrated sugarcane juice.

Always remember that sweets, even natural ones should be eaten in small amounts.

Learn more about the healthfulness of ingredients in your foods.

Xylitol: Is It Really As Healthy As It's Claimed To Be?

2008-08-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

Xylitol has been put on a pedestal. It is claimed to prevent tooth decay. It is said to be safe for diabetics. It is in everything from sugar-free chewing gum, candy and jams to breath sprays and toothpaste.

Touted as being natural, from birch bark, the xylitol on the market is really an industrial product, manufactured through a chemical process.

As an additive, xylitol has been shown to cause gastrointestinal distress, including gas, bloating and diarrhea. It has caused cancer in lab animals in high doses. It can cause weakness and seizures in pets.

Furthermore, no safety testing has been with children. The levels that can cause adverse effects with children are UNKNOWN!

This is just one additive of the many thousands of chemicals added to our food. Learn more about food additives and how they can affect your health.

Is Your Child Reacting to Artificial Food Colors?

2008-08-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

If you think your child is adversely affected by the artificial colors found in most of the processed foods on the market today, you can voice your opinion now!

Artificial colors appear on food labels as FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, or Blue No. 1, Yellow No. 6. These and other synthetic food dyes are being phased out in European countries because of the evidence showing their connection to hyperactivity and other behavior problems in children. The U. S. FDA denies that they cause any problems at all.

However, now you have the opportunity to file a report online and make your voice heard.

Read more...

Find out more about the additives in your food, the effects they can have on your health and how your can protect your family.

Genetically Engineered Sugar on the way to the Grocery Store Shelves

2008-08-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

GE Sugar from GE sugar beets is scheduled to hit the market this year. One company that plans to use the GE sugar is Kellogg. When asked to not use the GE sugar, Kellogg replied that consumer's don't care if their food is genetically engineered. They obviously haven't been listening to consumer opinion lately.

While it's best to avoid processed foods altogether, if you do eat them, avoid the Kellogg brand.

It's also important to know that there are already genetically engineered ingredients in processed food on the grocery store shelves. In fact about 70% of the processed foods on the market contain GE ingredients.

The ingredients most commonly genetically engineered in processed foods are derived from corn, canola, soy and cotton. If you see any ingredients like corn starch, corn gluten, corn oil, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, or any ingredient that contains corn in the name, there is a high probablity that it's genetically engineered. It's also highly likely that the canola oil, soy oil and cottonseed oil on the package are GE as well. All soy ingredients are suspect too. Additives like hydrolyzed soy protein, soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, soy lecithin, soy sauce may all be genetically engineered.

Genetically engineered ingredients are not labeled in the U.S. The only way to be sure that any of these ingredients are not GE is if they are organic.

For help checking the safety of ingredients in your packaged foods, get a copy of FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Are You Checking the Ingredients List Before You Buy?

2008-08-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

How do you decide what box, bag bottle or can to put in your grocery cart?

Do you look at the label? The front, the Nutrition Facts or the ingredients list?

Manufacturers are very aware that consumers are becoming more conscious about eating healthier foods. But instead of making healthier foods, they make the packaging more deceptive so it's harder for the consumer to determine how healthy the food item really is.

When you're choosing items from the grocery store shelf, the first choice should be fresh whole foods. However, if you do buy prepackaged foods, skip the front of the label. That's what the manufacturer want you to think about the product. What's on the front of the label is not necessarily true about the product inside the package.

As shocking as that statement may sound, it's true. The reason it's true is that there are terms that are not defined in the industry, like natural and healthy, so manufacturers can use them to mean anything they want - and they do.

Next, skip the Nutrition Facts. The first thing you should look at when you pick up a package is the ingredients list. If the products has harmful ingredients, and most processed foods do, the Nutrition Facts are meaningless. If the ingredients are healthy, then look at the Nutrition Facts if you like.

If you have a hard time reading the ingredients list because it's so tiny, carry a magnifying glass with you when you shop. If you don't know if the ingredients in the product are healthy or not, get the book FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shoppers' Guide To What's Safe & What's Not and take it with you every time you shop. You'll become an expert label-reader in no time. It's simple to use, even kids can do it.

FREE Food Additives Tips

2008-07-14T23:35:00.000-07:00

A new tip will be delivered to your e-mail box every day.

Help Get MSG Banned!

2008-05-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

John Erb, author of The Slow Poisoning of America has petitioned the FDA to get MSG banned. That petition is now open for public comment at

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2007-P-0178

You can read John's petition at the above link. All his points are supported by research studies. I've posted my comments as well.

MSG is a neurotoxin. It causes obesity, diabetes, excites nerve cells to death and more. It's in almost all processed food, even organic. It's in virtually all fast food. Even if you don't eat fast food, you probably know and care about a lot of people who do.

If you buy anything in a package - box, bottle, jar or can - you're probably eating MSG without even knowing it, if you don't know all the names it hides under.

The state of health in this country is abysmal. Removing this one toxic ingredient from our food supply would be one giant step in the direction of improving the health of the people in this country.

Please share any comment you have with the FDA, and if you could, pass this on to your network, the more comments we have the better!

Thanks for helping make our food supply safer.

Study Links Food Additives to Hyperactivity

2007-09-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

A study published in The Lancet Medical Journal, September 6, 2007, has shown a link between food additives and hyperactivity in children.

Although the connection between additives and hyperactivity has long been suspected by those in the alternative health arena, it has long been rejected by mainstream medicine because there was no scientific study to back it up.

The study was done on two groups of children, 3-year olds and 8- and 9-year olds. They were given drinks with various commonly used food colors and sodium benzoate. The control group received drinks with no additives.

The study took place over six weeks. The children receiving the drinks with the additives showed "significantly more hyperactive behavior" and "had shorter attention spans."

As a result of the study, the British Government has advised parents of hyperactive children that cutting out certain additives may benefit their children.

The study reported that sodium benzoate, the only preservative used in the study, "has been linked to cell damage in a previous study and to an increased risk for cancer."

Sodium benzoate is not itself a carcinogen. When sodium benzoate and vitamin C are in the same product, it has been shown previously that benzene may form. Benzene is a known human carcinogen.

Sodium benzoate and artificial colors are not only in fruit drinks frequently given to children and sodas, but they are also often in nutritional beverages promoted as healthy and a source of vitamins and minerals.

If you're giving fruit drinks to your kids, are they getting a little cancer-causing benzene in every sip? If you're taking liquid nutritional supplements are you possibly getting a little cancer-causing benzene in your daily dose?

Go check all of the beverages and liquid nutritional formulas in your home and office and see how many of them contain vitamin C and sodium benzoate. If they do they may contain benzene and you may be drinking a beverage that possibly contains a cancer-causing ingredient.

Healthy beverages for you and your kids include:

good quality water
1 part fruit juice with 2-5 parts water (more water is better)
herbal tea
sparkling water, if you have to have that fizz; add a little fruit juice if you want some flavor

The healthiest nutritional supplements are those which are customized to your specific needs.

Find out more about the safety of food additives.

2007 Edition FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide to What's Safe & What's Not

2007-08-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

The best-selling, pocket-sized, food additives dictionary, FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide to What's Safe & What's Not, has just been released in it's updated, expanded and revised 2007 edition. Be among the first to benefit from all the new information added to this edition.

There have been over 200 new ingredients added, including biotech and nanotech ingredients. There is new information on genetically engineered food, irradiated food and cancer ratings by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for cancer-causing ingredients.

Get your copy now!

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #60

2007-06-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

S       Ergocalciferol - vitamin D2; see nutrient additives.
* S A       Erythorbic acid – 7, 16; may be corn based.
C       Erythritol – 26, 32, 44, 46, 49, 50, 51; better tolerated than other sugar alcohols; see sugar alcohols.
X A       Erythrosine - may cause overactive thyroid, sensitivity to light; see coal tar dyes.
C       Ester gum - 19, 27, 45; inadequate data on safety available.

Note: The codes *, S, C, A and X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #59

2007-05-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C A    EDTA - 7, 44; may cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, liver and kidney damage, mineral imbalances; may cause errors in results of medical lab tests; not adequately tested.

C    Enzyme of aspergillus oryzae - 31; may be carcinogenic.

* C    Enzyme-modified fats - 27; may contain free glutamates; see MSG.

C    Epsom salts - see magnesium sulfate.

X    Equal - 11; see aspartame.

Note: The codes *, C, A and X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #58

2007-05-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C    Disodium pyrophosphate - see disodium phosphate.

S    Disodium riboflavin phosphate - vitamin B2; see nutrient additives.

C    Dough conditioners - reduce mineral availability.

C    DSS - see dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate.

C A    Durkex oil - 24, 29; refined, bleached, deodorized, partially hydrogenated oil. See hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Note: The codes *, S, C and A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #57

2007-05-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C     Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) - 19, 46; laxative effect; may cause gastrointestinal irritation, birth defects; not adequately tested.

C    Diphenyl - may cause nausea, vomiting, eye, nose irritation.

* C    Dipotassium phosphate - 14, 44; may reduce mineral absorption; may cause kidney damage.

C A    Disodium guanylate - 26; can aggravate gout; may be soy or yeast based; used in products containing MSG; not adequately tested.

C A    Disodium inosinate - 26; can aggravate gout; may be soy or yeast based; used in products containing MSG; not thoroughly tested.

Note: The codes *, C and A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #56

2007-02-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C A    Diglycerides - see mono- & diglycerides.

* S    Dilauryl thiodipropionate – 7; antioxidant.

* S    Dill - 27; can cause sensitivity to light.

C    Dill oil - 27; potentially toxic in large amounts; use cautiously if epileptic.

S    Dillseed - 27.

C    Dimethylpolysiloxane - 5; possibility of asbestos contamination; may cause kidney problems.

Note: The codes *, C, A and S are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #55

2007-02-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C A    Diacylglycerol – see mono- & diglycerides.

* C    Dibasic ammonium phosphate - see ammonium, phosphates.

* C    Dibasic calcium phosphate - see calcium phosphate.

* C    Dibasic potassium phosphate - see potassium phosphate.

* C    Dicalcium phosphate - see calcium phosphate.

X    Dichlorvos – pesticide used on produce, flea collars, food packaging; possible carcinogen, teratogen.

Note: The codes *, C, A and X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #54

2007-02-05T15:51:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

S    Devan Sweet - 49; see rice syrup powder.

C    Dextrans - may be carcinogenic.

* C A    Dextrin - 17, 51; may be from wheat or corn.

* C A    Dextrose - 49; see corn syrup.

* C    Diacetyl - 9; not adequately tested.

* C A    Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- & diglycerides - 19; see mono- & diglycerides.

Note: The codes *, S, C and A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #53

2007-02-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* S    D-Pantothenyl alcohol - see nutrient additives.

S    Date sugar - 49; 1 Tbsp. contains equivalent of 3 grams of sugars; all sweeteners best avoided.

* C A    Datem – see diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- & diglycerides.

S    7-Dehydrocholesterol - vitamin D3; see nutrient additives.

* C    Decanal – 9; moderately toxic if swallowed; eye and skin irritant.

Note: The codes *, S, C and A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #52

2007-01-31T11:54:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C1    Cream of tartar - 1, 4, 33; caution if kidney or heart problems.

C    Croscarmellose sodium – see sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

C    Crospovidone – ingredient found in drugs and nutritional supplements; low toxicity; not considered a health hazard by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Additives; safety testing data not available.

* C1A    Cuprous iodide - 17, 18; caution if thyroid problems.

S    Cyanocobalamin - vitamin B12; see nutrient additives.

X    Cyclamates - 11; banned; no longer believed to be carcinogenic, but increases the effect of other carcinogens; manufacturers petitioning FDA to rescind ban.

Note: The codes *, S, C, C1, X and A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #51

2007-01-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C    Copper sulfate - most highly irritating copper salt; see copper salts.

* S A    Corn gluten - 42, 50.

C    Corn protein – see free glutamates.

* C    Corn silk - 27; not adequately tested.

* C A    Corn starch - 51; may cause hay fever, eye, nose irritation.

* C A    Corn sugar - see corn syrup.

* C A    Corn syrup – 49, 51; associated with blood sugar problems, depression, fatigue, B-vitamin deficiency, hyperactivity, tooth decay, periodontal disease, indigestion.

Note: The codes *, S, C, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #50

2007-01-19T16:26:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C    Copper carbonate - see copper salts.

C    Copper chloride - see copper salts.

* C    Copper gluconate - see copper salts.

C    Copper hydroxide - see copper salts.

C    Copper orthophosphate - see copper salts.

C    Copper oxide - see copper salts.

C    Copper pyrophosphate - see copper salts.

C    Copper salts - see nutrient additives; skin and
mucous membrane irritants; can cause vomiting.

Note: The codes *, C are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #49

2007-01-10T12:32:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

X A    Coal tar dyes - 10; may cause hay fever, skin rashes, nausea, itching, gastrointestinal distress, high blood pressure; see artificial color....

o C A    Cochineal - 38; see carmine.

* C    Cocoa - contains caffeine-like chemical; Dutch process cocoa processed with alkali; see caffeine.

* S    Coconut oil – helps the body metabolize fatty acids; substitute for butter; use for frying and baking; use only non-hydrogenated.

C    Coffee – possible carcinogen.

* C    Confectioner's glaze - 30; no studies evaluating safety in food use.

Note: The codes *, o, S, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #48

2007-01-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C A    Cloves - 9; see cassia oil.

C    Clove bud oil - 27; has caused gastrointestinal irritation in lab animals.

C    Clove leaf oil - 27; see clove bud oil.

C    Clove stem oil - 27; see clove bud oil.

* C    Clover - may cause sensitivity to light.

* C    CMC - see carboxymethylcellulose.

Note: The codes *, C, A, are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

New "Anti-Freeze" Food Additive

2006-12-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

If you buy Breyer's or Good Humor ice cream, be on the lookout for a new "anti-freeze" ingredient. It's "ice structuring protein" (ISP) and it's genetically engineered (GE) fish protein.

This new frankenfood ingredient has NOT even been tested for safety. The safety info submitted to the FDA was based upon a different sub-class of GE fish protein.

As is the case with all GE ingredients, you can't tell from the name of the ingredient that it's GE, and you can't tell from the information on the label.

Read the whole story.

Learn more about food additives.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #47

2006-12-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C A    Cinnamon - see cinnamaldehyde.

* C A    Cinnamon bark extract - may cause skin rashes.

* C A    Cinnamon bark oil - may cause skin rashes.

* C    Citral - 9; interferes with wound healing.

* S A    Citric acid - 1, 7, 27, 44; may erode tooth enamel; may be corn based; may contain free glutamates.

X A    Citrus Red No. 2 - see FD&C Citrus Red No. 2.

Note: The codes *, S, C, X, A, are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #46

2006-12-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* S    Choline chloride - a vitamin; see nutrient additives.

* C    Chondrus extract - 46; see carrageenan.

C A    Cinnamal - see cinnamaldehyde.

* C A    Cinnamaldehyde - 9; may cause gastrointestinal irritation; irritant to skin and mucous membranes.

* C A    Cinnamic aldehyde - 9; see cinnamaldehyde.

Note: The codes *, S, C, A, are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #45

2006-12-13T15:27:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

S    Cellulose - plant fiber

* C A    Cellulose gum - see carboxymethylcellulose.

C    Chlorine dioxide - 13, 34; suspected carcinogen.

S    Cholecalciferol - vitamin D3; see nutrient additives.

* S    Choline bitartrate - a vitamin; see nutrient additives.

Note: The codes *, S, C, A, are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #44

2006-12-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C A    Cassia oil - 9; can cause upper respiratory irritation.

C A    Castor oil - 9; large amounts may cause pelvic congestion and induce abortion.

C    Cayenne pepper - see capsicum.

X    Cedar - 27; see camphor oil.

C    Cedar leaf oil - may cause reproductive failure, sensitivity to light.

X    Cedar wood oil - 27; see camphor oil.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X, are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #43

2006-12-05T19:27:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C    Carvacrol - 9; essential oil; oregano oil; antimicrobial; therapeutic in very small amounts; large amounts are corrosive and harmful if swallowed or inhaled and destructive of skin and mucous membranes; can cause circulatory/respiratory depression, heart failure; do not use if pregnant or nursing.

* C    Carvol - 9, 47; see d-carvone.

* C    d-carvone - 9; may be toxic in large amounts.

* C    l-carvone - 9; see d-carvone.

* C A    Casein - 36, 50, 51; harmful to anyone with milk allergies; may contain traces of LAL, a chemical of questionable safety.

C A    Caseinates - cause kidney damage in rats.

Note: The codes *, C, A, are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #42

2006-11-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

o C A Carmine - 38; may cause hives, life-threatening allergic reactions; not adequately tested.

* C Carnauba wax - 29; not adequately tested.

* C A Carob bean gum - 18, 51; not adequately tested.

* S Carotene - 38; see beta carotene.

C Carrageenan - 19, 46, 51; undegraded carrageenan has not caused cancer in test animals; degraded carrageenan has caused cancer in rats; inadequate information to determine carcinogenicity in humans; product labels do not distinguish between degraded and undegraded carrageenan; possible carcinogen; may contain free glutamates; should not be given to infants; see MSG; on FDA list for further study.

Note: The codes *, o, S, C, A, are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #41

2006-11-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C    Capsicum - may cause gastrointestinal upset.

* C    Caramel - 27, 38; may be processed with caustic chemicals, sulfites or ammonia; on FDA list to be tested for teratogenic, mutagenic and reproductive effects; suspected carcinogen; may cause inflammation of the tongue, scalp lesions, dandruff, hair loss.

* C    Caramel color – see caramel.

C    Caramel color III – processed with ammonia; causes reduced white blood count in lab animals and decreased immune functon.

C A    Carbohydrate gum – resins derived from the bark of plants; see acacia gum, guar gum, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth.

* S    Carbon dioxide - 41.

* C A    Carboxymethylcellulose - 4, 17, 19, 32, 46, 50, 51; causes cancer in animals; mild irritant to eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Note: The codes *, S, C, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #40

2006-11-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

X A    Camphor oil - 27; has caused fetal death in pregnant women; toxic effects in adults.

* S    Candelilla wax - 29.

X    Canola oil – toxic; genetically engineered from rapeseed oil; processed at extremely high temperatures; depletes body stores of vitamin E; contains trans fats; caused kidney, heart, thyroid and adrenal problems in lab animals; depresses the immune system; blocks enzyme function; no studies done on humans for safety.

o C    Canthaxanthin - 38; not adequately tested.

C    Caprenin - 21; not adequately tested.

* S    Caprylic acid - 9.

Note: The codes *, o, S, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #39

2006-11-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* S    Calcium pyrophosphate - see nutrient additives.

* C    Calcium silicate - 4; may cause kidney problems, possibility of asbestos contamination.

C    Calcium sodium EDTA - 7, 44; see EDTA.

* C    Calcium sorbate - 6, 40; see sorbic acid.

* C A    Calcium stearate - 4; may be corn, peanut, soy based; may be derived from hydrogenated oils.

C A    Calcium stearoyl lactylate - 18, 19, 46; may be corn, milk, peanut, soy based; may be derived from hydrogenated oils.

* C    Calcium sulfate - 18, 34; may constipate; can kill rodents; see nutrient additives.

Note: The codes *, S, C, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #38

2006-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C A    Calcium lactate - 3, 14, 23, 52; may cause cardiac or gastrointestinal disturbances; may be corn or milk based; see nutrient additives.

* S    Calcium oxide - 1, 18, 52; skin, mucous membrane irritant; see nutrient additives.

* S    Calcium pantothenate - vitamin B5; see nutrient additives.

C    Calcium peroxide - 13, 18; not adequately tested.

* C    Calcium phosphate - 13, 18, 50; see nutrient additives; may reduce mineral absorption; may cause kidney damage.

* C A    Calcium propionate – 6, 40; can trigger behavioral changes.

Note: The codes *, S, C, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #37

2006-11-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

S A    Calcium fumarate - 1; may contain corn.

* C A    Calcium gluconate - 14, 23, 26, 44; may cause gastrointestinal upset, heart problems; may be corn sugar based.

* S    Calcium glycerophosphate - see nutrient additives.

* C    Calcium hexametaphosphate - 19, 44, 50; see calcium phosphate.

* C    Calcium hydroxide - 23; lye, skin irritant.

* C1A    Calcium iodate - 17, 18; caution if thyroid problems.

Note: The codes *, S, C, C1, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

What You Need to Know About Codex Alimentarius

2006-11-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

This video is the best explanation I've seen and heard about Codex Alimentarius. It's a little long, but I recommend you take the time and watch it to the end.

View Video

Please take action. Sign the petition. YOUR HEALTH IS AT STAKE!

Contaminant in OTC Medications Linked to 34 Deaths

2006-10-31T12:53:00.000-08:00

Diethylene glycol "which is used to keep glue and cosmetics moist" is being blamed for 34 deaths in Panama. It has contaminated over-the-counter medications like cough syrup and antihistamine tablets and skin remedies, like calamine lotion and rash ointments.

Diethylene glycol is one of many harmful ingredients that are commonly used in products we consume or put on our skin. The industry typically has downplayed the adverse effects of these types of ingredients, saying there is no cause for concern, or that they're used in such small quantities that they're safe.

The truth of the matter is that there are a lot of ingredients that are being used in our foods and personal care products that should not be used. There IS cause for concern. The industry's not going to take them out, because they deny that they're harmful. That is, unless, consumers stop buying products containing the unsafe ingredients.

If you don't know what's harmful and what's safe, you can find out in Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. With that information, you'll be armed to read labels and know which ingredients should and should not be in the foods and healthcare products you consume.

You vote with your dollars. When enough people stop using the products with the harmful ingredients, the industry will have to change and start producing products with safe and healthy ingredients. But as long as you continue to buy the products with the questionable and harmful ingredients, they'll continue to make them.

If you haven't started reading labels and checking to see if the ingredients are safe or not, now is the time to do so! Your health and your family's health is at stake.

If you're not a chemist and you don't know what to look for, all the information you need to decipher the chemical gobbledy-gook on the ingredients label is the the book, Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide... Food Additives also has a sibling for deciphering personal care product and cosmetic labels, Dying To Look Good.

Now is the time to take charge of your health. These two books make it really easy to get started.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #36

2006-10-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C A    Calcium caseinate - 50; may contain free glutamates; see casein, MSG.

* C    Calcium chloride - 23; see nutrient additives; may cause heart problems, gastrointestinal upset.

* S A    Calcium citrate - 14, 18, 44; may interfere with results of medical lab tests, see nutrient additives; may be corn based.

* C    Calcium diacetate - 44; low oral toxicity.

C A    Calcium disodium EDTA - 7, 44; see EDTA.

C    Calcium formate - may cause urinary tract problems.

Note: The codes *, X, C, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #35

2006-10-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C    Calcium acetate - 44; low oral toxicity.

* C1    Calcium alginate - 50; see alginates.

* S A    Calcium ascorbate - 7; see ascorbic acid.

C A    Calcium benzoate - see benzoate of soda.

C    Calcium bromate - 34; see potassium bromate.

* S    Calcium carbonate - 2, 24, 39, 52; see nutrient additives; may constipate.

Note: The codes *, X, C, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #34

2006-10-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* X A    Butylated hydroxytoluene - see BHT.

C    Butylparaben - 6, 40, aspirin sensitive should
avoid, not adequately tested.

C    Butyraldehyde - 9; ingredient in rubber cement.

C    Butyric acid - 27; see butanoic acid.

X A    BVO - see brominated vegetable oil.

* C    Caffeine - 47; psychoactive, addictive drug; may
cause headaches, irritability, fertility problems, increases risk of miscarriage, birth defects, heart disease, depression, nervousness, behavioral changes, insomnia, etc., inhibits fetal growth.

Note: The codes *, X, C, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #33

2006-10-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C    Broth – see free glutamates.

* C    Brown algae - Possible mercury contamination; avoid during pregnancy; not adequately tested.

S    Brown rice syrup - 49; 1 Tbsp. contains 5 grams of sugars; better tolerated by people with blood sugar disorders, all sweeteners are best avoided, see sucrose.

C    Butane - 41; see isobutane.

* C    Butanoic acid - 27; has caused cancer in animals.

C    Butyl acetate - 9; may cause eye irritation; see benzaldehyde.

C    1,3 butylene glycol - 24, 32; may cause gastrointestinal upset, nervous system disorders.

* X A    Butylated hydroxyanisole - see BHA.

Note: The codes *, X, C, S, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Learn more about food additives.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #32

2006-09-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C     Biphenyl - may cause nausea, vomiting, eye, nose irritation.

X A    Blue No. 1 - see FD&C Blue No. 1.

X A    Blue No. 2 - see FD&C Blue No. 2.

X    Boric acid - highly toxic; ingestion and topical application have caused poisoning.

C    Borneol - 27; may cause gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, convulsions.

X    Bromated flour – see potassium bromate.

X A    Brominated vegetable oil - 19, 24; has caused death in lab animals; stored in body fat; linked to major organ system damage, birth defects, growth problems; on FDA suspect list; banned in Belgium, Sweden and Great Britain.

Note: The codes *, X, C, S, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #31

2006-09-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* S Beta Carotene - 38; precursor to vitamin A; see
nutrient additives.

S Beta glucans – acomponent of cellulose.

* X A BHA - 7, 40; can cause liver and kidney damage,
behavioral problems, infertility, weakened
immune system, birth defects, cancer; should be
avoided by infants, young children, pregnant
women and those sensitive to aspirin.

* X A BHT - 7; see BHA; banned in England.

C Blackstrap molasses - 49; 1 Tbsp. contains 11-15
grams of sugars; contains small amounts of
minerals, but is still 65% sucrose.

* S Biotin - B vitamin; see nutrient additives.

Note: The codes *, X, C, S, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #30

2006-09-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C    Benzyl acetate - 27; may cause gastrointestinal
upset.

C    Benzyl acetoacetate - 27; see benzyl acetate.

C    Benzyl alcohol - 9; may cause diarrhea,
vomiting; see benzaldehyde.

C    Benzyl ethyl ether - 27; narcotic in large
amounts.

C    Benzyl formate - 27; narcotic in large amounts.

C    Bergamot - 27; may cause sensitivity to light.

Note: The codes *, C, S, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #29

2006-09-18T21:25:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C     Bentonite - 51; see aluminum silicate.

* C     Benzaldehyde - 9; may cause central nervous system depression, decreased sex drive, immune system stress.

* C A     Benzoate of soda - 40; can cause skin rashes, gastrointestinal upset, hyperactivity in children, neurological disorders; has caused birth defects in lab animals; moderately toxic if swallowed; those with asthma or liver problems should avoid.

* C A     Benzoic acid - 6, 40, see benzoate of soda.

* C     Benzoic aldehyde - 9; see benzaldehyde.

* C     Benzoyl peroxide - 13, 18; destroys vitamin A,
C, E, may cause skin rashes.

Note: The codes *, C, S, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #28

2006-09-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C Banana oil - see amyl acetate.

C Barbados molasses - 49; see sucrose.

C Barley malt - 49; 1 Tbsp. contains 6 grams of
sugar; better tolerated by people with blood
sugar disorders, all sweeteners best avoided, may
contain free glutamates; see sucrose, MSG.

* S A Beeswax - 19, 27, 29.

o S Beet powder – 38.

Note: The codes *, o, C, S, A are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #27

2006-09-12T22:17:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

X A    Azo dyes - 10; may cause gastrointestinal distress, nausea, hay fever, itching, high blood pressure; see artificial color....

C    Azodicarbonamide - 34; not adequately tested.

S    Azulene - naturally occuring plant compound found in chamomile tea.

S    Bakers yeast glycan - 19, 46, 51.

S    Bakers yeast protein - 33.

C A    Baking powder - 18, may contain corn; double acting may contain aluminum.

* C    Baking soda - see sodium bicarbonate.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #26

2006-08-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

SA Ascorbates - 7; may be corn based; see ascorbic acid.

* S A Ascorbic acid - 1, 7; synthetic vitamin C; see nutrient additives; can enhance mineral absorption, can inhibit nitrosamine formation; may be corn based.

* S Ascorbyl palmitate - 7, see ascorbic acid.

X Aspartame - 11; may cause brain damage in phenylketonurics; may cause central nervous system disturbances, menstrual difficulties; may affect brain development in unborn fetus.

C Aspergillus oryzae - 29; may be carcinogenic.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #25

2006-08-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

S    Annatto - 27, 38.

C A    Arabinogalactan - 12, 19, 46, 51; not adequately
tested.

S    Arrowroot – no known toxicity.

X    Artemisia - 27; may cause headaches, nervous
system irritation, gastrointestinal distress, coma,
death in large amounts.

X A    Artificial color FD & C, U.S certified food color -
contribute to hyperactivity in children; may
contribute to learning and visual disorders, nerve
damage; may be carcinogenic; see FD&C Colors.

C A    Artificial flavoring – may contain MSG or HVP; may cause reproductive disorders, developmental problems; not adequately tested.

C    Artificial sweeteners - associated with health
problems; see specific sweetener.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #24

2006-08-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C   Amyl acetate - 27; may cause central nervous
system depression, headaches, fatigue, mucous
membrane irritation.

X   Amyl alcohol - 27; highly toxic, has caused
deaths.

C A   Amylases – 18; may be soy based, genetically
modified.

* C A   Anethole - 9; may cause mouth ulcers, burning
sensation in mouth.

* C A   Angelica - may cause sensitivity to light.

C   Animal or vegetable shortening - associated with
heart disease, hardening of the arteries, elevated
cholesterol levels.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #23

2006-08-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C    Amasake - 49; may contain aspergillus oryzae, a
suspected carcinogen.

X A    Ammonia - corrosive; toxic if inhaled; eye and mucous membrane irritant; can burn eyes and skin; can cause permanent damage; may cause mouth ulcers, nausea, kidney, liver problems.

* C    Ammonium alginate - see ammonia, alginates.

* C    Ammonium bicarbonate - 33; may cause
gastrointestinal distress; see ammonia.

* C    Ammonium carbonate - see ammonia.

C    Ammonium carrageenan - see ammonia,
carrageenan.

C A    Ammonium caseinate - 50; see ammonia,
casein.

* X    Ammonium chloride - may cause gastrointestinal
distress; toxic if ingested in large amounts; may cause irreversible damage; see ammonia.

* C    Ammonium citrate - 23, 26, 44; see ammonia.

* X A    Ammonium glutamate - 26; see ammonia,
MSG.

C    Ammonium hydrogen carbonate - ammonium
bicarbonate; see ammonia.

* C    Ammonium hydroxide - see ammonia.

* C    Ammonium isovalerate - see ammonia.

* C    Ammonium phosphate - see ammonia
phosphates.

* C    Ammonium sulfate - 18; see ammonia.

X A    Ammonium sulfite - 7, 40; see sodium bisulfite.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #22

2006-08-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C    Aluminum - may be associated with senility,
memory problems, kidney problems,
neurological problems, mouth ulcers, mineral
malabsorption; not adequately tested.

* C    Aluminum ammonium sulfate - 4; may cause
vomiting; see aluminum, ammonium.

* C    Aluminum calcium silicate - 4; see aluminum.

C    Aluminum chloride - see aluminum.

* C    Aluminum hydroxide - 33; may cause
constipation; see aluminum.

C    Aluminum nicotinate - may cause
gastrointestinal distress; see aluminum, niacin.

* C    Aluminum potassium sulfate - may cause
gastrointestinal distress; see aluminum.

* C    Aluminum silicate - 51; has caused death in lab
animals; see aluminum.

* C    Aluminum sodium sulfate - see aluminum.

* C    Aluminum sulfate - see aluminum.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #21

2006-08-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

* C     Almond oil - 27; very toxic if not distilled to
remove hydrocyanic acid; nontoxic if distilled.

C     Aloe extract - may cause gastrointestinal distress,
kidney problems.

* S A     Alpha tocopherol - vitamin E; may be corn,
peanut, soy based; see alpha tocopherol acetate.

S     Alpha tocopherol acetate - vitamin E; large doses
may be harmful if high blood pressure; see
nutrient additives.

C     Alum - see aluminum.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #20

2006-07-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

X A   Alkyl gallate - may cause liver problems.

C   Alkyl sulfates - may cause skin rashes.

* S   Allspice - 27.

* C   Allyl isothiocyanate - 27; toxic; may cause skin
problems.

C A   Allyl sulfide - may cause breathing difficulty,
kidney, liver problems.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #19

2006-07-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

S A    Albumins - 46, 50, 51; may be egg, milk based.

* S    Alfalfa - 27.

* C1    Alginates - 17, 28, 46, 50; possible pregnancy
complications.

* C1    Alginic acid - 5, 46; may cause birth defects.

C    Alitame – 11; related to aspartame; not
adequately tested; awaiting approval.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #18

2006-07-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C A    Acetylated mono- and diglycerides - 19, see
mono- & diglycerides.

* S    Aconitic acid - 27.

* S    Adiptic acid - 1, 27, 40.

* C A    Agar-agar - 17, 32, 46, 51; may cause flatulence,
bloating; may have laxative effect.

C    Aguamiel - 49; derived from cactus; use sparingly.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #17

2006-07-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES Continued...

C   Acetate - 27; may cause stomach irritation in
large amounts.

* C   Acetic acid - 1, 27; may cause gastrointestinal
distress, skin rashes, eye irritation.

* S   Acetoin - 27.

C   Acetone peroxide - 13, 34, not adequately tested.

* S   Acetyl methylcarbinol - 27.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #16

2006-07-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

FOOD ADDITIVES

* C A     Acacia gum - 17, 19, 46; may cause skin rashes;
not adequately tested.

X     Acesulfame-K - 11, "Sunette"; may cause low
blood sugar attacks; causes cancer, elevated
cholesterol in lab animals; not adequately tested.

X     Acesulfame-potassium - same as acesulfame-K.

C A     Acetal - may cause breathing difficulty, heart
problems, high blood pressure; central nervous
system depressant.

* C     Acetaldehyde - 9; irritant to mucous membranes,
central nervous system depressant, large doses
may cause death.

Note: The codes *, C, A, X are defined in Excerpt #3

The numbers after the additive name are defined on page 8-11 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #15

2006-07-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

HOW TO IDENTIFY GENETICALLY MODIFIED PRODUCE Continued ...

If the number is:

4 digits it's conventionally grown.
5 digits starting with 9 it's organically grown.
5 digits starting with 8 it's genetically modified

At this time, there is no way of knowing if the ingredients in packaged or canned foods have been genetically modified, unless they're organic. Organically grown foods are not genetically modified.

Learn more about food additives.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #14

2006-07-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

HOW TO IDENTIFY GENETICALLY MODIFIED PRODUCE

If you’re eating non-organically grown food, you’re probably eating some genetically modified food without even knowing it. Genetically modified food has been on the marketplace for some time now. It’s not labeled and it doesn’t appear that labeling will be required anytime in the near future.

You can, however, tell if the fresh fruits and vegetables you buy have been genetically modified by those irritating little stickers that they put on the produce...

Details next time...

Have all this information right at your disposal - all the time. Get your own copy of FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Answer to the Splenda Quiz

2006-07-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Answer: added chlorine.

Beware, Splenda is not benign as the manufacturer says it is. There is evidence that it can do harm.

Splenda is one of a group of artificial sweeteners that really should be avoided because of the danger of adverse effects on your health.

Learn more about the harmful effects of food additives.

Learn more about healthy eating.

Splenda Quiz

2006-07-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

What did the manufacturer of Splenda do to sugar to get Splenda?

Answer tomorrow, or find the answer here.

Hidden Souces of MSG

2006-07-11T11:51:00.000-07:00

infant formula
baby food
low fat and no-fat milk
candy
chewing gum
drinks
kosher food
protein bars
protein powder
protein drinks recommended for seniors
most processed foods
wine
waxes applied to fresh fruits and vegetables
over-the-counter medications, especially children's
binders and fillers for nutritional supplements
prescription and non-prescription drugs
IV fluids given in hospitals
chicken pox vaccine
live virus vaccines
nasal spray flu vaccine
pesticides, fungicides and feritlizers
sprayed on growing fruits and vegetables as a growth enhancer (AuxiGro)

Learn how to keep MSG out of your food and to protect yourself from other harmful food additives.

Rich Chocolaty Ovaltine

2006-07-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Ive been hearing a lot of advertisements on the radio lately about Rich Chocolaty Ovaltine and how it's so healthy a treat for your kids. This is just another example of food industry propaganda and misinformation.

I'm sure they base their claim of nutritious on the synthetic vitamins and minerals they add. However, what they don't tell you is that the first ingredient in Rich Chocolaty Ovaltine is sugar. It also contains: carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides, artificial flavor and artificial colors yellow no. 6, red 40 and blue 1.

Carrageenan may be a source of hidden MSG. It may also be a potential carcinogen, but not enough information is available to make that determination. It should not be given to infants.

Mono- and diglycerides are hydrogenated oils. Need I say more.

Artificial flavor may be a source of hidden MSG.

Artificial colors may be carcinogenic. Most are derived from coal tar which is a known carcinogen. Yellow no. 6, red 40 and blue 1 are all derived from coal tar.

Ovaltine has 80 calories per serving, excluding the liquid. There are 18 grams of sugar in one serving, which is equivalent to 72 calories from sugar. So 90% of the calories in one serving of Ovaltine is from sugar!

If you don't understand where I'm getting these numbers from, go back to Excerpts from Food Additives...#10, #11 and #12. It's explained there.

You get all this information about food additives and more in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide ... Why not get your copy today and start protecting your family from the blatant untruths that are being fed to the consumer every day.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #13

2006-07-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

Buying a packaged product in a health food store does not guarantee that it will be free of harmful additives. The only way to be sure there are no harmful additives in the food you buy is to read every label of every package and buy fresh, whole organic foods whenever possible.

Learn how to read and interpret labels so you know for sure that the food you buy is safe.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #12

2006-07-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Continued from Excerpts ... #11

The example is summarized below.

	grams	calories	percent
Fat	7	63	51%
Protein	2	8	7%
carbohydrate (total) sugar other	13 12 1	52 48 4	42% 39% 3%

Have this information and more at your fingertips when you need it.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #11

2006-07-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

Continued from Excerpts ... #10

To get the number of teaspoons of sugar in the snack, divide 12 grams of sugar in the snack by 4, to get 3 teaspoons of sugar.

12 grams of sugar = 3 teaspoons of sugar
4 grams per teaspoon

Next time I'll summarize the results in a table so you can get the whole picture about what's in this snack. The results are on page 16 in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #10

2006-06-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

Let's take an example of a 123 calorie snack with 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein and 13 grams of carbohydrate of which 12 grams of the carbohydrate is sugar.

To get fat calories, multiply 9x7=63 calories from fat.
To get percentage of fat, divide 63 fat calories by 123 snack calories to get 51% fat.

Use the same procedure for protein and carbohydrate, using 4 calories per gram instead of 9.

Tomorrow I'll do the calculations for the number of teaspoons of sugar in this snack. Why not try to figure it out now, then come back tomorrow and check your answer.

Better yet, get your own copy of FOOD ADDITIVES and have all this information at your fingertips right when you need it!

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #9

2006-06-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

Nutrition Facts give you information on calories, and grams of fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, and protein in each serving. Here's some useful conversions to help you use and understand this information better.

1 gram of fat = approximately 9 calories.
1 gram of protein = approximately 4 calories.
1 gram of carbohydrate = approximately 4 calories.
4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon of sugar.

Tomorrow I'll give you an example of how to use this for your benefit.

Now is the time to protect your health by making healthy food choices. Why not get your own convenient, pocket-sized copy of FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide ... and keep it with you when you shop so you can be sure you're making safe and healthy food-buying choices.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #8

2006-06-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a general rule of thumb: If the list of ingredients is long, there's probably a lot of chemical additives in the product, and you're risking your health by eating it. If the list of ingredients is short, it may or may not have harmful additives in it, so read the ingredients carefully before you decide to purchase the product.

You can learn which ingredients are harmful and which are safe in FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's guide....

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #7

2006-06-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients are listed on the label in order of predominance by weight ... the ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, the ingredient that weighs the least is listed last.

Start protecting your family now from harmful ingredients in packaged fooods.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #6

2006-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

How To Read Labels

Finding the ingredients on the label and being able to read them can be a challenge. They are often hidden under a flap of packaging material in very tiny print, barely readable without a magnifying glass.

Often the package has statements like "NATURAL FRUIT FLAVORS, with Real Fruit Juice," or ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS and NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED. This DOES NOT mean there are no harmful additives in the product. The manufacturer hopes you'll think these are healthy, natural products, but if you read the list of ingredients and compare each additive with the additives listed in this book, you'll see it's not true.

Find out how to get your copy and start reading labels now.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide...#5

2006-06-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

Some of the additives are followed by a number or series of numbers. These numbers represent a code for the uses of the additives. These codes are listed on pages 8-11.

The additive listing may also include some of the adverse effects that may be associated with consumption of the additive, and if the additive has not been adequately tested.

FOOD ADDITIVES (sample listing)

X Acesulfame-K - 11, "Sunette"; may cause low blood sugar attacks; causes cancer, elevated cholesterol in lab animals; not adequately tested.

Sample of codes listed on pages 8-11.
11. artificial sweetener - used in processed foods.

Note X is defined in Excerpts ... #3

Get your copy of FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... and start protecting your family from the scourge of harmful ingredients in common foods.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #4

2006-06-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

The GRAS classification of safety by the FDA does not guarantee that the additive is safe. The FDA evaluates additives based upon their ability to cause cancer and harmful reproductive effects, generally ignoring other harmful outcomes. In addition, a number of formerly GRAS additives have been removed from the GRAS list after they were found to be harmful. It is virtually certain that some additives in common use now, and considered to be safe, will one day be banned.

Learn how to protect your family from harmful food additives.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #3

2006-06-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The codes below are to the left of each additive and indicate the safety of the additive.

* GRAS - Generally Recognized As Safe by the FDA

o FDA Approved colorant

S There is no known toxicity. The additive appears to be safe.

A The additive may cause allergic reactions.

C Caution is advised. The additive may be unsafe, poorly tested, or used in foods we eat too much of.

C1 Caution is advised for certain groups in the population, such as pregnant women, infants, persons with high blood pressure, kidney problems, etc.

X The additive is unsafe or very poorly tested.

Get your copy of FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide ... and make sure the food you buy doesn't contain harmful ingredients that can make you sick.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #2

2006-06-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Even if all of the food additives used in our foods were safe individually, rarely does any food have only one additive in it. Testing for additive safety has been done for individual additives, not for combinations of additives. Additives that are safe individually may be harmful in certain combinations. Nobody knows the effects of the many different additives used in the thousands of different combinations.

This book lists 800 of the most common food additives. Each additive is preceeded by a code representing it's safety and the advisability of its use. The code indicates if the additive is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, and an evaluation of its safety and advisability of its use, independent of the FDA evaluation. The codes are listed on page 7 under HOW TO USE THIS BOOK.

Excerpts from FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide... #1

2006-06-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

This book will guide you when you're shopping to help you make informed choices about the foods you buy. It's purposely small so you can carry it in your pocket or purse.

There are more than 3000 different chemicals that are purposefully added to our food supply. The testing for the safety of these chemicals is generally done by the company that wants to produce the chemicals or to use the chemical additives in the foods they produce. The Delaney Clause of the 1958 Food Additives Amendment states that any additives shown to cause cancer in humans or animals are not permitted to be added to our food. However, political pressure has caused the FDA to relax these standards and allow small amounts of cancer-causing substances to be used in foods.

Learn more about food additives.

Xylitol: Is It As Safe As the Food Industry Says?

2004-11-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

Xylitol is being heralded as "our sweet salvation" and not only as a safe sweetener, but also with numerous health benefits.

The truth is that xylitol is a sugar alcohol, like sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, isomalt, and several others. If eaten only in small amounts, you'll probably not suffer any adverse effects. However, sugar alcohols, when eaten in excess can cause gastrointestinal problems, like bloating, intestinal gas and diarrhea.

Safe limits for xylitol consumption, according to xylitol researcher, Bill Misner, Ph.D., are 20-28 grams per day for those weighing over 100 pounds. Children should be limited to 1-2 grams per 10 pounds of body weight per day.

If you start to experience gastrointestinal problems when eating foods with xylitol, you've exceeded your body's tolerance and you need to cut back. In the laboratory, xylitol has caused cancer in test animals in large doses.

Poisons in Your Kid's Food

2004-09-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

Many additives in the food you feed your kids may be very dangerous to their health. But you'd never know it if you believed the claims of healthy ingredients on the packaging.

Take, for example, breakfast cereals. They are laden with sugar, hydrogenated oils and artificial food colorings. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, fatigue, depression, tooth decay, B-vitamin deficiency and indigestion. Hydrogenated oils are associated with heart disease, cancer and elevated cholesterol. These diseases, associated with old age, actually can start in childhood when kids eat hydrogenated oils and other foods that contribute to these diseases. Artificial food colorings are some of the worst additives found in foods and are most abundantly found in foods made to appeal to kids, like cereals, candy, gelatin desserts, fruit drinks and soft drinks. The worst are Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Citrus Red No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3 and Yellow No. 6. Some of these colors are carcinogenic, cause tumors in lab animals and are not adequately tested.

If your child has asthma, eating raisins, dried apricots or some other dried fruit that contains sulfites may cause her attacks. Sulfites were banned in 1985 on most fruits and vegetables, but are still allowed on fresh-cut potatoes, dried fruits and wine. They can cause severe allergic reactions and have even caused death in asthmatics.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and free glutamate are flavor enhancers considered safe by the FDA. MSG may cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches, itching, high blood pressure and allergic reactions. Free glutamate, the active ingredient in MSG, may cause dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, drowsiness and even brain damage, especially in children. Because of bad publicity, food manufacturers found ways to hide MSG in foods they produce. They list the ingredients that contain MSG but not the MSG itself. Or they use free glutamates instead of MSG. For example, broth may be listed as an ingredient on a label. Broth may contain MSG, but the ingredients in the broth are not required to be listed on the label. Hydrolyzed soy protein, a common ingredient in tuna, is high in free glutamates, but does not contain MSG. The label can legally say no MSG.

Even if the label says "all natural ingredients" and "no preservatives," the product could contain harmful additives. Almost all packaged foods, even so called "health foods", have additives in them, and many are harmful or inadequately tested. The manufacturer hopes you'll think these are healthy natural products, but if you read the list of ingredients, you'll find ingredients that are not common food items. If you learn to interpret food labels, you'll find that many of these ingredients are harmful or of questionable safety.

So, how do you know which foods are really safe to eat? Dr. Christine Farlow, in her handy pocket-sized book, FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not, now in its 2004 revised edition, makes it easy to identify which additives are harmful and which are not. She classifies over 800 commonly used food additives according to safety, whether they may cause allergic reactions and if they are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. In just seconds, the average person can find out if an additive in the food they're buying is harmful to their health. It's clear, concise and easy to use. Make this book your constant grocery shopping companion and you'll never again wonder about the safety of the ingredients listed on the package. You'll know.