Why are nations sicker than ever and so many of us dealing with chronic illness? Is there something in the water? Yes, is the answer. And it's in food too.
The story is often heard; clients, family, friends all around me share the familiar line... They ate well, exercised often, had great connections with family and friends, and they died. How does this happen? Well maybe we are overlooking the compromised quality of the food we consume. The info below may shock you.
"As Inside Climate News reports, more than 15,000 chemicals are used in food processing or packaging, yet researchers found major gaps in publicly available information about human exposure and safety. Sound familiar?
We’ve been talking a lot about ultra-processed foods and the GRAS loophole - a system that can allow food companies to determine certain ingredients are “Generally Recognized as Safe” without first going through FDA review."
Except from Center for Food Safety.
Many organizations are working diligently to inform us as they stand up to corruption in the food industry and governments. North America has lower standards than many other countries. As consumers we can make a difference with our spending dollars and our votes. Read on and check into the links provided for more insight into the food you are eating.
The story is often heard; clients, family, friends all around me share the familiar line... They ate well, exercised often, had great connections with family and friends, and they died. How does this happen? Well maybe we are overlooking the compromised quality of the food we consume. The info below may shock you.
"As Inside Climate News reports, more than 15,000 chemicals are used in food processing or packaging, yet researchers found major gaps in publicly available information about human exposure and safety. Sound familiar?
We’ve been talking a lot about ultra-processed foods and the GRAS loophole - a system that can allow food companies to determine certain ingredients are “Generally Recognized as Safe” without first going through FDA review."
Except from Center for Food Safety.
Many organizations are working diligently to inform us as they stand up to corruption in the food industry and governments. North America has lower standards than many other countries. As consumers we can make a difference with our spending dollars and our votes. Read on and check into the links provided for more insight into the food you are eating.
Could this reality we deal with...
Food additives banned in the European Union (EU) are not banned in North America. "The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has fewer exceptions and more fast-track options for food manufacturers"...
...be the reason behind the oxymoronic experience of eating and drinking more while vacationing in Europe typically not cause excess weight gain!
Our food quality is compromised at the expense of our health.
Below is a list of some of the additives to watch out for from Alive Magazine along with a gallery of images from various food watch advocates committed to keeping you more fully informed.
Save the list below to your phone and be sure to read labels more carefully.
You are the one with the power to make a difference in both your own life and those you love.
Food additives banned in the European Union (EU) are not banned in North America. "The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has fewer exceptions and more fast-track options for food manufacturers"...
...be the reason behind the oxymoronic experience of eating and drinking more while vacationing in Europe typically not cause excess weight gain!
Our food quality is compromised at the expense of our health.
Below is a list of some of the additives to watch out for from Alive Magazine along with a gallery of images from various food watch advocates committed to keeping you more fully informed.
Save the list below to your phone and be sure to read labels more carefully.
You are the one with the power to make a difference in both your own life and those you love.
HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ADDITIVES TO AVOID:
Titanium dioxide (E171)
It’s been linked with intestinal inflammation and genotoxicity —the damaging of our DNA—and is banned in the EU. You can find titanium dioxide in processed baked goods, candy, and chewing gum.
Potassium bromate (KBrO3)
The FDA believes potassium bromate safely breaks down in the baking process —but it’s classified as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization, labeled as toxic in the EU, and banned in Canada.
Propylparaben
To slow molds, yeasts, and other microbes that spoil food, some companies use propylparaben—a form of benzoic acid. Unfortunately, this preservative may disrupt our endocrine systems, diminish fertility in women, and could even form a carcinogen (benzene) by combining with vitamin C. Although not banned in most of the US, propylparaben has recently been banned in California, and has been banned for use in food in the EU since 2006.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
The is that ADA breaks down into semicarbazide and urethane—both carcinogenic—during the breadmaking process. The FDA says these substances are not present in high enough concentrations to be dangerous, but ADA is banned from food and other uses in the EU.
Propyl gallate (E310)
Propyl gallate is a white crystal powder used to prevent oxidation and stave off spoilage of fats and oils—so it’s used as a preservative in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Some studies have linked propyl gallate with male infertility and cancer, but it isn’t yet banned in the US or EU. Looking to ditch the propyl gallate in your cosmetics, too? Check out our article on natural cosmetics.
Sodium benzoate (E211)
Sodium benzoate can produce benzene, a known carcinogen, when exposed to vitamin C. The FDA recognizes this risk, but believes the concentrations are too small to pose a health concern—thankfully, “sodium benzoate” or “E211” must be listed in ingredient labels.
Sodium nitrite
Added to meat products to improve appearance and extend shelf life, sodium nitrate is the salt that gives cured meats their pink color. In some foods, like fried bacon, it is at risk of forming nitrosamines —a recognized carcinogen. Manufacturers have begun adding acids to prevent this carcinogen from forming, which does seem to work —but you may want to avoid foods listing “sodium nitrite” anyway.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
BHA and BHT are preservatives that help keep fats and oils from spoiling in foods like cereal and packaged cookies. Although they may be carcinogenic, BHA and BHT are not yet banned in the EU. That said, they are much more heavily regulated in Europe, even when added to cattle feed, than they are in the US.
Aspartame
Did you know this artificial sweetener was FDA approved back in 1974? Aspartame has been controversial ever since, with health scares in the 70s, 90s, and 2000s—with reports ranging from mild indigestion to causing cancer in rats. While no countries have banned its use and the FDA even has a specific page about aspartame, some people would still prefer to avoid this suspicious sweetener. If you’re looking to avoid aspartame, try natural sugar alternatives instead!
Color additives
In January 2025, the FDA made headlines by banning Red No. 3, a food dye that has been linked with cancer formation in animals and had previously been banned in California. But shortly after California banned Red No. 3, it also banned foods containing other potentially carcinogenic dyes—Red No. 40, Blue No. 1 and 2, Green No. 3, and Yellow No. 5 and 6—from being offered by public primary schools. The FDA hasn’t followed suit yet, but you might also want to avoid these foods--especially for your kids.
These are good organizations that provide more information - check them out.
https://organicconsumers.org/ | https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/take-action | https://www.cornucopia.org/ | www.ewg.org | https://www.ewg.org/ https://www.nongmoproject.org/
Teri Gentes - Advocating and Coaching on how to optimize health and quality of life with healhty lifestyle practices.
Titanium dioxide (E171)
It’s been linked with intestinal inflammation and genotoxicity —the damaging of our DNA—and is banned in the EU. You can find titanium dioxide in processed baked goods, candy, and chewing gum.
Potassium bromate (KBrO3)
The FDA believes potassium bromate safely breaks down in the baking process —but it’s classified as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization, labeled as toxic in the EU, and banned in Canada.
Propylparaben
To slow molds, yeasts, and other microbes that spoil food, some companies use propylparaben—a form of benzoic acid. Unfortunately, this preservative may disrupt our endocrine systems, diminish fertility in women, and could even form a carcinogen (benzene) by combining with vitamin C. Although not banned in most of the US, propylparaben has recently been banned in California, and has been banned for use in food in the EU since 2006.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
The is that ADA breaks down into semicarbazide and urethane—both carcinogenic—during the breadmaking process. The FDA says these substances are not present in high enough concentrations to be dangerous, but ADA is banned from food and other uses in the EU.
Propyl gallate (E310)
Propyl gallate is a white crystal powder used to prevent oxidation and stave off spoilage of fats and oils—so it’s used as a preservative in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Some studies have linked propyl gallate with male infertility and cancer, but it isn’t yet banned in the US or EU. Looking to ditch the propyl gallate in your cosmetics, too? Check out our article on natural cosmetics.
Sodium benzoate (E211)
Sodium benzoate can produce benzene, a known carcinogen, when exposed to vitamin C. The FDA recognizes this risk, but believes the concentrations are too small to pose a health concern—thankfully, “sodium benzoate” or “E211” must be listed in ingredient labels.
Sodium nitrite
Added to meat products to improve appearance and extend shelf life, sodium nitrate is the salt that gives cured meats their pink color. In some foods, like fried bacon, it is at risk of forming nitrosamines —a recognized carcinogen. Manufacturers have begun adding acids to prevent this carcinogen from forming, which does seem to work —but you may want to avoid foods listing “sodium nitrite” anyway.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
BHA and BHT are preservatives that help keep fats and oils from spoiling in foods like cereal and packaged cookies. Although they may be carcinogenic, BHA and BHT are not yet banned in the EU. That said, they are much more heavily regulated in Europe, even when added to cattle feed, than they are in the US.
Aspartame
Did you know this artificial sweetener was FDA approved back in 1974? Aspartame has been controversial ever since, with health scares in the 70s, 90s, and 2000s—with reports ranging from mild indigestion to causing cancer in rats. While no countries have banned its use and the FDA even has a specific page about aspartame, some people would still prefer to avoid this suspicious sweetener. If you’re looking to avoid aspartame, try natural sugar alternatives instead!
Color additives
In January 2025, the FDA made headlines by banning Red No. 3, a food dye that has been linked with cancer formation in animals and had previously been banned in California. But shortly after California banned Red No. 3, it also banned foods containing other potentially carcinogenic dyes—Red No. 40, Blue No. 1 and 2, Green No. 3, and Yellow No. 5 and 6—from being offered by public primary schools. The FDA hasn’t followed suit yet, but you might also want to avoid these foods--especially for your kids.
These are good organizations that provide more information - check them out.
https://organicconsumers.org/ | https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/take-action | https://www.cornucopia.org/ | www.ewg.org | https://www.ewg.org/ https://www.nongmoproject.org/
Teri Gentes - Advocating and Coaching on how to optimize health and quality of life with healhty lifestyle practices.
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