The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires animal feed, like human foods, to:
- · Be pure and wholesome
- · Contain no harmful substances
This was sent to me in a recent newsletter update from the FDA in regards to the safety of pet food. I was immediately tickled by the idea of the FDA saying food sold for animals is required to be pure and wholesome, just as they dictate that food for humans also be pure and wholesome. Webster defines the word pure as- "being unmixed with any other matter—free from what pollutes". If that made you laugh, then you will love how Webster defines the word wholesome- "providing health of mind and body". So, the FDA states that they require food to be unmixed with any other matter and provide health to the mind and the body. Despite these regulations the FDA is said to require, we are becoming more and more aware of the dangers in our foods today. In fact hydrogenated oils defy the first demand of the FDA. Hydrogenating an oil does nothing to promote well being of the body—perhaps the trans fat laden products provide a drug-like peace of mind but so would opium-laced baked goods, right?
Trans fat is the buzz word among the European nutritionally elite. The danger in trans fat was brought forward and made public, and thus trans fat was removed from their food products. Hydrogenated fats are neither pure nor wholesome, and have been found to be a harmful substance in our diets. Well, our FDA, not being as alarmist as our European neighbors are, just tells the food manufacturers to add a label to the foods. Just tell the kids there is trans fat in their frozen pizza — no warning about what trans fat is. The informative FDA website notice about trans fat and “what you need to know” simply explains that this fat is created from taking a liquid fat to a solid fat, hydrogen is added and thus appears “trans fat”.They soothe the reader by explaining that many of the foods we eat now contain this fat already, foods like baked goods, crackers and candies. They further soothe our nervous arteries by informing us that this trans fat also comes in foods naturally, foods like milk. They do explain that it lowers good cholesterol and raises bad cholesterol and then go on to help us, the readers, understand the food label and how to avoid this fat. However, these warnings and tips, this health-promoting advice, is never added to a food label. In fact, from what I can gather, nutrition labels are nothing more than a marketing technique.
Article comments
1 - Ruvy
Maureen,
It is a commandment in Jewish law that "if a blessing comes into your hand, you must do it immediately".
Having just read this article, and realizing how you highlighted this very topic earlier, I have to congratulate you on a job very well done....
Would only that we had someone like that in Israel!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ruvy
2 - Maureen Jeanson
Thank you Ruvy! I thought I needed to direct my points on the first article since so many people want to horde their Twinkies under their bed for fear of losing freedom to over indulge.
3 - Jordan Richardson
Well done, Maureen. Incidentally, they've banned trans fats up here in Canada too. For some reason there was no uproar over it...
nutrition labels are nothing more than a marketing technique.
Bingo.
4 - Jordan Richardson
Also, a somewhat sideways point:
I happened to catch a cool documentary called "The Disappearing Male." You can watch it online here.
It's from the CBC and it talks about how there's a toxic threat to the male reproductive system and how there have been more cases of deformity, low sperm count, and testicular cancer in males than ever before. It discusses "hormone mimicking" or "endocrine disrupting" chemicals found in shampoo, meat and dairy products, and elsewhere and how they're impacting our genes.
Very interesting stuff. If you've got about 45 minutes to spare, I recommend it.
5 - Silas Kain
As someone who is intimately aware of the cold chain process in our food delivery system, I am appalled at how lacking the United States is in comparison to Europe. Kudos to the author of this piece. We can only hope that more "Americans" will get on the bandwagon and start demanding some accountability from Congress. The agricultural lobbyists have controlled our collective diets for far too long. And that is evidenced by the obesity of so many members of Congress whether physically or by the size of the wad of cash in their wallets.
6 - Cindy
I have no idea what this article is about. Sorry author...you could be anyone. I just saw Silas, whom I adore. Hi there Silas. :-)
7 - Cindy
Gay or straight they're all the same. They are male and I adore them. Too bad I am parked behind the ketchup at the moment. :-)
8 - Silas Kain
Cindy! How are you? And we both share that sentiment " males, we adore them.
9 - Cindy
Ha! I am fine. So good to see your happy...um letters. :-)
Indeed, males are so very cool. I love them, I live with them, I adore them. Next to women you guys are like the best thing ever created.
smooch :-)
10 - Christine
Good info Maureen
It’s interesting that man (woman) can go to the moon, cure many diseases, and accomplish other extraordinary feats, but when man alters food from its natural state, he (she) usually ruins it.
More ironic (or pathetic) is the fact that we make food that causes cancer and then we try to develop drugs that cure it! And where is the FDA in all this? Probably in the back pocket of the food and drug companies.
11 - roger nowosielski
I don't see why it should puzzle you, Christine. For altering the food has mostly to do with adultering it. And the reason is profit.