Know What's Really in Your Food
What's Really in Skittles, Jr. Mints, Hot Dogs, Gelatin, and Other Foods?
Did you know most food coloring is made from insects? Would you knowingly eat a bug? Well, if you eat Skittles, you do. Really!
We've all heard the stories about what's really in a hot dog, but do you know what's in many other foods that you eat? I was quite surprised the other day to see a Tweet on Twitter about Skittles, that took me to the Wikipedia page for Skittles that has this quote toward the bottom:
What's Really in Food Additive Coloring?:
"...[sic] Skittles contain the colouring E120, which is derived from cochineal insects, and the glazing agent shellac, which are produced from insects..."
Then, the Straight Dope informed us that Junior Mints are coated with the same 'shellac' coating that is made from a secretion from a particular type of beetle. So you're not really eating bugs, just the secretions of them.
I'm not sure that makes me feel any better about it. Yes, I realize some people in other countries eat certain bugs as a delicacy, but I just don't think I could bring myself to do it unless I was starving, and even then, it would probably have to be well done!
That started me thinking about other things that use coloring, and what else might actually be in our foods that we're not aware of. So my search began by looking at the listings of ingredients.
What's Really in High Fructose Corn Syrup?:
The first thing I noticed is that there are an amazing amount of foods with high fructose corn syrup in them that don't really need to be sweetened. For example, in a can of stewed tomatoes, do we really need high fructose corn syrup? Really? If I stewed my own tomatoes, I might add a pinch of cane sugar, but I would never add globs of high fructose corn syrup to it. The sugar is only to counteract some of the acidity, but not to 'sweeten' it.
Check the labels on your foods at the grocery store shelf, and you'll be amazed how many things contain high fructose corn syrup, sometimes called HCFS. The Huffington Post has a very interesting article on HFCS that talks about how high fructose corn syrup contains mercury, and how the FDA has known this for years. There's a lot of very bad things associated with HFCS. Worse yet, it's in nearly everything we buy off the shelf!
What's Really in Gelatin?:
Have you ever had Jell-o or anything containing gelatin? Did you know that the gelling agent in gelatin comes from cow and pig bones and cartilage? It does! If you're a true vegetarian, gelatin products are a no-no!
So do a little research today, and see if you can find out what's REALLY in some of your favorite foods. I would imagine there's a lot of foods out there right now that have some fascinating and particularly ickish ingredients!
Published by Michy Jr.
This is the Associated Content Challenge Account for Michelle L Devon (Michy). It was a blast! Thanks for the fun and the challenge! View profile
High Fructose Corn Syrup Health: Obesity LinkAs consumers have grown more suspicious of big business and as nutrition researchers have tried to pin down links between diet and obesity, high fructose corn syrup has been ind...
High Fructose Corn Syrup - Is It Making America Fat?Is high fructose corn syrup, a common sweetener used in most foods since the 1970's, making us fat? Some people think so. This article takes a look at the real facts about HFCS.- High Fructose Corn SyrupA look at high fructose corn syrup. Some people say it's natural, but I think otherwise.
- Celiac and Grain Allergy Sufferers Must Watch Out for High Fructose Corn Syrup and...While it might benefit most people to cut down on foods laced with modified food starch and high fructose corn syrup, for those with both celiac disease and grain allergies, it is a necessity.
Mercury Found in the High Fructose Corn Syrup Used in Many Popular Foods...Tuna is not the only food to be cautious of, mercury has found in the high fructose corn syrup used in many popular foods and well known brands.
- Dangers of Food Additives
- New Study Supports Theory: Food Additives Play Role in ADHD Behavior
- What's Really in Your Peanut Butter Jar?
- What's the Truth About High Fructose Corn Syrup?
- What's Really in Your Pet's Food
- High Fructose Corn Syrup: Harmless or Health Threat
- Sweet Seduction: The Secret Life of High Fructose Corn Syrup in America's Food
3 Comments
Post a CommentI didn't know about the Skittles and Junior Mints, but I did know the other stuff. Great coverage. I think we need to go back to the days where everyone had farms and produced their own food. ;-)
good info :)
I knew about the gelatin because manufacturers are looking for a substitute. But the Skittles and Jr. Mints, let's just say, I won't be eating anymore of those. Very informative and well written:)