Food

10 things the food corporations don't want you to know

1. The ingredients listed on the label aren't the only things in the food. Cancer-causing chemicals such as acrylamides may be formed in the food during high-heat processing, yet there's no requirement to list them on the label. Residues of solvents, pesticides and other chemicals may also be present, but also do not have to be listed. The National Uniformity for Food Act, currently being debated in the U.S. Congress, would make it illegal (yes, illegal) for states to require cancer warnings on foods that contain cancer-causing chemicals (such as California's Proposition 65.) See articles on the Food Uniformity Act.

2. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is added to thousands of food and grocery products through a dozen different innocent-sounding ingredients, imbalances endocrine system function, disabling normal appetite regulation and causing consumers to keep eating more food. This chemical not only contributes to nationwide obesity, it also helps food companies boost repeat business. See articles on MSG.

Fast Food: Is Bigger Better?

One way restaurants compete to get your dollar is to offer you larger portions that make you feel like you are getting a deal. You've probably noticed how fast food chains offer items in "super-sizes."

Food companies call this "value-pricing." It means encouraging a customer to spend a little extra money to purchase a larger portion. In dollars and cents it's true, you get more when you buy the "super-size" portion.

But you might be surprised to learn the total cost of eating that extra food!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 December 2009 23:11

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