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Processing Food Facts

In addition to the nearly six thousand chemicals and additives in our food, preserving processes have changed beyond recognition from the simple use of vinegar, salt, and sunshine. Many processed foods are stripped bare, rendering them of little or no nutritional value.

Worse, foods are deliberately tampered with to create the desire for more. And the health effects of certain processing methods – such as the very controversial irradiation – are not yet known.

Irradiation

Irradiation is the use of x-rays or gamma radiation on food to kill bacteria mold, viruses, and parasites. Unfortunately, its effects are also harmful to test animals. Those fed a diet of irradiated wheat developed increased numbers of cells with chromosome abnormalities. As well, there were unexplained stillbirths in the offspring of test rats.

So unpleasant is the mere sound of the word "irradiation" that euphemisms such as "Cold Pasteurization" and "Picowaved For Your Protection" are being used on labels because food companies fear that using the term "irradiation" may hurt sales.

Junk Food

Junk food – high in fat and sugar – is one of the leading causes for the soaring number of cases of type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and tooth decay. It is also linked to hypoglycemia and candida.

Did you know that cravings for processed foods are initiated by eating processed food, and so on? It's a vicious, addictive cycle.

Food scientists know that it is necessary for certain nutrients to be present in the blood stream in order to feel full. While it is not fully understood how this process works, food companies know enough to use this knowledge to manipulate consumers into eating more by subtracting various nutrients, and adding others such as fat, sugar, and salt.

This manipulation creates a desire for processed foods – one that can never be satiated no matter how much of it you ingest.

Natural Flavoring

"Natural flavoring" can be just about anything, from the cells of yeast extract and nucleic acid from cell chromosomes, to waste bi-products from cattle. Some reports suggest that the ingredients in so-called "natural colors" have been known to contain products as unlikely as monkey intestines; others note that some "artificial flavors" are comprised of ingredients as unappealing as minced cat.

How is it possible to determine exactly what "flavorings" are comprised of when the list of items from which they are concocted often includes a long ramble of unrecognizable chemicals?

Check out the ingredient list for the strawberry flavoring in one popular fast food outlet's strawberry milk shake.1 Hmm, hmm, good! (At least I think it's supposed to be good...?)

• Amyl acetate
• Amyl butyrate
• Amyl valerate
• Anethol
• Anisyl formate
• Benzyl acetate
• Benzyl isobutyrate
• Butyric acid
• Cinnamyl isobutyrate
• Cinnamyl valerate
• Cognac essential oil
• Diacetyl
• Dipropyl ketone
• Ethyl butyrate
• Ethyl cinnamate
• Ethyl heptanoate
• Ethyl lactate
• Ethyl methylphenylglycidate
• Ethyl Nitrate
• Ethyl propionate
• Ethyl valerbate
• Heliotropin
• Hydroxyphrenyl-2butanone (10% solution in alcohol)
• A-Ionone
• Isobutyl anthranilate
• Isobutyl butrate
• Lemon essential oil
• Maltol
• 4-Methylacetophenone
• Methyl anthranilate
• Methyl benzoate
• Methyl cinnamate
• Methyl heptine carbonate
• Methyl naphthyl ketone
• Methyl salicylate
• Mint essential oil
• Neroli essential oil
• Nerolin
• Neryl isobutyrate
• Orris butter
• Phenethyl alcohol
• Rose
• Rum ether
• G-Undecalactone
• Vanillin
• Solvent!

And this is just the stuff in the flavoring. Wonder what's in the "milk" part of this so-called milk shake?² Check it out...

• Milkfat and nonfat milk
• Sugar
• Sweet whey
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Guar gum
• Monoglycerides and diglycerides
• Cellulose gum
• Sodium phosphate
• Carrageenan
• Citric acid
• E129
• Artificial strawberry flavor

Packaging

There are also concerns regarding the materials used to coat and package foods.³ The protective wax on produce such as cucumbers, peppers, and apples may trigger allergies, and can contain pesticides, fungicide sprays, or animal byproducts. Further, the plastic (vinyl chloride) some food is wrapped in is considered carcinogenic, and has been linked to immune reactions and lung shock.

Dioxin

A by-product of whitening, especially of food containers, Dioxin has become a health concern. It has been reported, for example, that certain ice creams contain high levels of dioxins, reportedly leaked into the product through the whitening used in its containers.

A known carcinogen, dioxin is associated with genetic and reproductive defects as well as learning disabilities.⁴ Dioxin exposure is a possible cause of endometriosis – a painful condition that can result in fertility problems and/or hysterectomy, as well as chronic pelvic pain and other conditions.

It makes good sense to always pay attention to the food you are buying, especially if it has been processed. One thing is for certain – most of these added ingredients have nothing to do with nutrition and everything to do with increasing food sales by keeping addicted, depleted consumers coming back for more.

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Notes:
1. Chek, Paul, excerpted from the CD/Workbook Program: You Are What You Eat! at www.chekinstitute.com.
2. The New York Nerd: Eat Fast, Die Young, April 24, 2006, at www.nynerd.com.
3. Hass, Elson M., M.D., Food Additives and Human Health, excerpted from Staying Healthy Shopper's Guide: Feed Your Family Safely, cited on www.healthychild.com.
4. Hass, Elson M., M.D., Food Additives and Human Health, excerpted from Staying Healthy Shopper's Guide: Feed Your Family Safely, cited on www.healthychild.com.