What Are Your Labels Saying?
All natural According to the USDA, food can
only be labeled "natural" if it contains
no artificial ingredients or
added colors and is
minimally processed. However, are these the only requirement and is this even enforced? For example, animal products raised with the use of
artificial hormones and plant products that are
genetically modified can be labeled as "natural" according to the USDA's definition. The problem is that this definition is
not even regulated by the FDA and not enforced by the USDA and therefore it is, well, useless.
For added freshness and "...as a preservative" These preservatives are
added only to extend shelf life to products. While it adds more "life" to the product, what does it mean to the consumer?
B
HA and BHT are common chemicals used as preservatives. These are both linked to
allergic reactions, hyperactivity, rashes, asthma and other
health problems. They are both
well known carcinogens. In fact, BHT is
banned in England and
BHA is banned it Japan--all due to its carcinogenic properties.
Farm-raisedThis is typically related to the environment fish are raised. This means the fish "farmers" breed fish in an indoor tank system, big pond or sectioned-off portions of larger bodies of water. Due to the
compact living situations and feed, they tend to have more diseases, toxins, artificial dyes, antibiotics compared to their wild caught versions. They also
don't contain the beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids compared to wild.
Fortified or EnrichedYou'll find this term on
cereal boxes, junk food and even on milk. It sounds good that these foods are "fortified" with vitamins. But why would these vitamins have to be added "back?' It either means these foods were cooked so that the vitamins were cooked out or they were never there to begin with. This begs the question if they even qualify as food. Keep in mind that
just because you can eat it doesn't mean it's food.Genetically Modified OrganismsThese are foods in which the
DNA has been changed and mutated that often
contain pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. While GMO foods may increase production and yields, they are not natural and may be toxic They are even
banned in several countries The biggest problem is that it is not required in most states to label if foods are GMO. Therefore, unless it's labeled non-GMO or organic, you should unfortunately
assume it it genetically modified.
