Stop Eating That Right Now!

If you are eating these foods, you should stop now!

Every Country has standards on what foods are safe and which are dangerous. Additionally, the production of certain products from popular companies is often altered depending on the rules of the Country they are making a product. 

Companies will knowingly change the recipe in countries where an ingredient or additive is illegal yet continue regular production using these chemicals in other countries. In today’s post, we will discuss some of these items and why you should probably avoid eating them.

Firstly, Skittles. Unfortunately, those brightly colored bits of sugar contain something called Titanium Dioxide, a chemical in many sweet treats, but also many plastics, papers, and cosmetics. It is used as a pigment to whiten a product but is classified as a Group B Carcinogen. 

Carcinogens are things considered to cause cancer in humans. Group A Carcinogen are things considered to cause cancer, while Group B Carcinogen is something that could cause it but may also be due to outside factors. 

Titanium Dioxide, when inhaled, was classified as Group B. Skittles has stated that since the Skittles are consumed and not inhaled, there is no danger, however, the European Union banned the use of it in food products. 

While it is still legal in the United States under the FDA, I would think twice before choosing this shiny treat as your snack next time you are on a road trip. 

Two additives often added to flour and found in pastry and bread products are Potassium Bromaine and Azodicarbonamide. Both of these additives are classified as Group B Carcinogen; even though The Center for Science in the Public Interest has asked the FDA to ban its use, the FDA has not complied stating that it is safe for consumption in “limited amounts.”

Neither of these chemicals is necessary for the taste or production of these products and are only used to enhance the appearance. 

BVO, or Brominated Vegetable Oil, has been linked to everything from the liver, thyroid, and reproductive system to behavior problems, IQ, and Attention disorders. Now you may be thinking, “why on earth would I want to consume that?”

BVO is a popular ingredient in sodas, including Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Fanta, and some flavored waters. It was previously an ingredient in popular brands like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola but has since been removed. 

The FDA has not made it illegal but requires companies to put a warning on products containing it. However, probably better to avoid any of these products that continue to use the additive even after all the research that has come forward. 

M&M’s are yet another candy that might need to be bought in the EU. This is due to the use of certain dyes which have been banned in the EU but continue to be produced in the American version.

American Pork also frequently contains something called Ractopamine used for growth purposes in farm animals and (oh wait) is also linked to cardiovascular and hyperactivity issues. The EU and over 160 nations have banned this drug and do not trade with American Pork Industries because of this. 

While these are only a few examples, many products are also, concerningly, still in production in the United States. Since we have seen companies adapt their recipes for other countries, we should try avoiding some of these products until these harmful additives are removed. 

What do you think? Did any of these surprise you?

Let me know what you think in the comments!