Are the BHA and BHT Preservatives in Our Food Making Us Sick?

BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), very common preservatives, banned in nearly every country worldwide (except in the U.S.), are used in nearly every packaged food in the U.S. Test studies published by the IPCS (International Program for Chemical Safety, URL below) show tissue inflammation, enlargement, and/or growths in 100%, and cancer in 35% of subjects. Why does the U.S. allow this?

The popular documentary titled "Food, Inc.," available now for free at most public libraries in DVD format, further asserts and expounds upon these findings.

Why are these chemicals allowed in foods in our country and not in many other countries?

The answer came during a recent camping trip when I happened to meet a Canadian who was finishing up her PhD in the U.S., and her area of study included the optimization of health care systems. She told me that in one year she would be faced with the decision as to whether she would remain in the U.S. or return to Canada for her career. I commented to her that we have one of the most failed healthcare systems in the world. To that, she replied, "The U.S. does not have a healthcare system. Rather, it is a 'Sickness System' where the system thrives on people being sick. Far more profit is generated by sickness than health."

I advised her that I was a writer, and asked her permission to take notes, to which she affirmed but would not permit me to use her name, indicating that wealthy American businesses go after anyone who poses a threat to their profits regardless of how factual their information is.

"First of all," she said, "unlike the U.S., Canada does not allow foods on grocery shelves that are proven to be toxic to consumers," referring to the numerous preservatives and other additives in processed American foods. "Thus, we have far fewer sick people per equivalent population sample than you have in the U.S.. This is one of many reasons why our healthcare costs are a fraction of yours, on an equivalent population basis."

"In the U.S., wealthy industries control the country's decision makers, and one example is the food industry who has bullied your FDA into allowing the BHA and BHT preservatives in the foods you eat. These preservatives cause the foods to appear fresher longer, allowing the manufacturers to produce more and make bigger profits."

"Take white flour, for example. In order to maximize profits and produce enormous amounts of white flour in the U.S., commercial wheat is sprayed with toxic pesticides that are known by Canada to cause cancer. Then after harvest, it is further sprayed with fungicides that are known by Canada to also cause cancer. Later, it is bleached white with a chlorine-based bleach that is known by Canada to be toxic. If your politicians had any balls they would ban the use of these toxins that are making Americans sick. But instead, they allow themselves to become puppets of those who hold the wealth. People eat this food, believing it to be wholesome and healthy, trusting in their governing authorities."

"Even your canned goods are packaged in metallic cans that are lined with a toxic liner that leaches into your food and drinks. This practice is not allowed in Canada. However, your FDA is once again bullied into allowing this in order to enable manufacturers of canned food and drink to produce colossal amounts of product, maximizing their profits."

"Another example of wealthy industries controlling authorities' decisions is the pharmaceutical influence upon your doctors' medical curriculums. A typical U.S. doctor receives far more education on how to apply drugs for ailments than how to prevent and cure diseases with a healthy lifestyle. In contrast, Canadian medical education is focused upon the prevention of disease and natural cures. Drugs are a last alternative in Canada, but often a first in the U.S.. The U.S. severely over-uses expensive drugs that often prolong (not heal) and in some cases worsen an ailing condition, perpetuating the patient's need for further expensive drugs. Unlike the U.S., no one in Canada must choose between food and paying for their drugs."

"The ingredients list on most of your packaged foods in the U.S. reads like a chemistry lab," she added. "The basic healthy rule of thumb is: if you see an ingredient listed that you don't recognize or cannot pronounce, don't eat it."

Still, one question remains: Although the preservatives BHA and BHT are carcinogenic toxins, can we still consume small amounts of these safely? The same logic may apply to the question, "Can we consume small amounts of rat poison safely?" Any toxins we put into our bodies cause our liver and kidneys to work harder to eliminate these substances, leaving behind small, unnoticeable amounts of tissue damage that accumulates with time and continued use.

Consumer beware. Read labels.