What’s in your food? | Dig in 2 It

WFMY News 2
22 Feb 202307:45
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video delves into various concerns about food safety, highlighting the presence of 'forever chemicals' in products like Kerrygold butter, heavy metals in dark chocolate, and mercury in certain fish. It compares ingredient lists of Heinz ketchup from the US and the UK, pointing out differences like high fructose corn syrup in the US version. The report underscores the importance of being aware of these issues for better health, with a focus on labels and ingredient scrutiny.

Takeaways
  • 🧈 Kerrygold butter is temporarily off the shelves due to PFAS chemicals in its packaging.
  • ⚠️ Consumer Reports found concerning levels of cadmium or lead in most dark chocolate bars tested.
  • 🍫 Eating just an ounce of 23 out of 28 tested dark chocolate bars daily could be harmful.
  • 🍅 UK and US versions of Heinz ketchup have different ingredient lists, with the US version containing high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and natural flavoring.
  • 🔬 The FDA has not reviewed many of the 10,000 chemicals and additives allowed in US foods in decades.
  • 🇬🇧 Some chemicals allowed in US food are banned overseas due to links with cancer and developmental issues.
  • 🧪 The GRAS loophole allows companies to skip extensive safety reviews for many food chemicals.
  • 📜 A bill proposes that the FDA review chemicals banned overseas to improve food safety regulations.
  • 🎣 Certain fish, like swordfish and tuna, contain high levels of mercury, which can be harmful, especially to developing brains.
  • ⚖️ Moderation is key in consuming foods with potential contaminants to protect health.
Q & A

  • What are 'forever chemicals' mentioned in the script?

    -'Forever chemicals' refer to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are toxic artificial compounds that are very persistent in the environment and the human body. They are used in many industrial processes and products, including making Teflon pans non-stick and clothing waterproof.

  • Why is Kerrygold butter being removed from shelves temporarily?

    -Kerrygold butter is being removed from shelves temporarily because its grease-resistant wrapper contains PFAS, which are toxic chemicals. The company is retooling its packaging to comply with new state PFAS laws in California and New York.

  • What health risks are associated with PFAS exposure?

    -PFAS exposure has been linked to certain cancers, high cholesterol, preeclampsia in pregnant women, and immune system suppression, which can increase the risk of opportunistic diseases, including some types of cancer.

  • How do the ingredients of Heinz ketchup differ between the US and UK?

    -The UK version of Heinz ketchup contains about six recognizable ingredients, while the US version has a longer ingredient list with three added ingredients: high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and natural flavoring.

  • What concerns have been raised about 'natural flavoring' in food products?

    -The term 'natural flavoring' can be misleading, as it may contain mixtures of more than 100 chemicals. Although not necessarily harmful, it lacks transparency, and consumers may not know exactly what they are consuming.

  • What did the Consumer Reports investigation find about dark chocolate bars?

    -The Consumer Reports investigation found concerning levels of cadmium and lead, two toxic heavy metals, in most of the dark chocolate bars tested. Long-term exposure to these metals can cause serious health issues such as kidney damage, hypertension, and reproductive problems.

  • Are organic dark chocolate bars safer than non-organic ones regarding heavy metal content?

    -No, the Consumer Reports investigation found that organic dark chocolate bars were just as likely to have concerning levels of heavy metals as non-organic products.

  • What health risks are associated with high mercury levels in fish?

    -High mercury levels in fish can impair brain function, cause loss of smell, and lead to developmental delays in children. For pregnant women, high mercury levels can affect the developing brain of the fetus, potentially leading to cognitive issues later in life.

  • Which types of fish are generally lower in mercury?

    -Smaller fish that live near the surface, such as salmon and trout, generally have lower levels of mercury compared to larger, deeper fish like swordfish and tuna.

  • What is the 'GRAS loophole' in the FDA's regulations?

    -The 'GRAS loophole' allows companies to add chemicals to food without undergoing an extensive safety review, as long as the chemicals are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). This loophole has been criticized for allowing potentially harmful chemicals to enter the food supply without sufficient safety evaluation.

Outlines
00:00
🧈 The Disappearance of Butter Due to PFAS

The script discusses the temporary disappearance of a popular butter brand from shelves due to the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as 'forever chemicals'. These chemicals are used in over 1600 industrial processes and products, making them ubiquitous in everyday life. The concern arises from their persistence in the environment and potential health risks, including links to certain cancers and other health issues like high cholesterol and preeclampsia. The brand, Kerrygold, halted restocking its foil-wrapped butter to retool its packaging in compliance with new state PFAS laws. Consumers are advised to look for products labeled 'no PFAS' to avoid exposure to these chemicals, which are also found in a wide range of products from carpets to cosmetics.

05:02
🍫 Concerns Over Heavy Metals in Dark Chocolate and Food Regulations

This paragraph delves into the issue of heavy metals, specifically cadmium and lead, found in dark chocolate bars. A Consumer Reports investigation revealed that 23 out of 28 tested bars contained levels that could be harmful if consumed daily. Long-term exposure to these metals can lead to kidney damage, hypertension, and reproductive issues. The paragraph also touches on the broader topic of food regulations, highlighting the differences in allowed chemicals and additives between the US and other countries. The Environmental Working Group criticizes the use of 'natural flavoring' as potentially misleading, as it can contain over 100 chemicals. The FDA is urged to review and update its regulations on chemicals in food, with a congresswoman from Chicago introducing a bill to address this. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the importance of moderation in consuming foods that may contain harmful substances.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Forever Chemicals
Forever chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are toxic artificial compounds that persist in the environment and human body for a long time. They are used in various industrial processes and products such as non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing. The video discusses their presence in the grease-resistant wrapper of Kerrygold butter and highlights their potential health risks, including links to cancer and immune suppression.
💡Cadmium
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal found in certain food items, including dark chocolate. The video mentions that Consumer Reports found concerning levels of cadmium in most of the dark chocolate bars tested, which can lead to health problems like kidney damage and reproductive issues. This highlights the broader concern about the presence of harmful substances in foods commonly perceived as healthy.
💡Lead
Lead is another toxic heavy metal found in some dark chocolate bars, as reported by Consumer Reports. Long-term exposure to lead can cause serious health issues, including hypertension and kidney damage. The video uses the example of dark chocolate to discuss the hidden dangers of heavy metals in food products.
💡High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener made from corn starch that is commonly used in processed foods and beverages in the United States. The video contrasts the ingredient lists of Heinz ketchup from the US and the UK, noting that the US version contains high fructose corn syrup, which has been controversial due to its links to obesity and other health issues.
💡Natural Flavoring
Natural flavoring refers to flavor additives derived from natural sources, but often involving complex mixtures of chemicals. The video discusses the ambiguity and potential misleading nature of 'natural flavoring' in food labels, using Heinz ketchup as an example, where the specific ingredients of natural flavoring are not disclosed, raising concerns about transparency and safety.
💡Mercury
Mercury is a toxic element found in certain fish, with high levels posing significant health risks, particularly to developing fetuses and children. The video highlights the dangers of mercury in large, deep-sea fish like tuna and swordfish, advising moderation in consumption to avoid potential cognitive issues and other health problems.
💡GRAS Loophole
The GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) loophole allows companies to add chemicals to food without extensive safety reviews if those chemicals are considered safe by experts. The video discusses legislative efforts to close this loophole, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations to ensure food safety in the US, where some chemicals banned overseas are still permitted.
💡Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. The video mentions preeclampsia as one of the health risks associated with exposure to PFAS, underscoring the potential dangers of these chemicals to pregnant women and their unborn children.
💡Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides unbiased product testing and ratings. In the video, Consumer Reports' investigation into dark chocolate revealed the presence of heavy metals like cadmium and lead, highlighting the organization's role in informing consumers about potential health risks in everyday products.
💡Environmental Working Group (EWG)
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. The video references the EWG's stance on 'natural flavoring' in food products, pointing out that such flavorings can include a mixture of many chemicals, thus questioning the safety and transparency of food labeling practices.
Highlights

A popular brand of butter is disappearing off the shelves temporarily due to forever chemicals.

Tests found concerning levels of cadmium or lead, toxic heavy metals, in most dark chocolate bars tested by Consumer Reports.

The UK and US versions of Heinz ketchup have different ingredients, with the US version containing high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and natural flavoring.

Doctors want consumers to look for labels indicating no PFAS (per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances).

PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are very persistent and used in over 1600 industrial processes and products.

Kerrygold butter stopped restocking its foil-wrapped butter to retool its packaging to comply with new PFAS laws in California and New York.

PFAS have been linked to certain cancers, high cholesterol, preeclampsia, and immune system suppression.

11 states have rules either banning or reducing PFAS levels in various products, including food wrappers and containers.

Many companies are voluntarily removing intentionally added PFAS from their products or packaging.

There are over 10,000 chemicals and additives allowed in food in the US, many of which have not been evaluated by the FDA in decades.

Certain chemicals allowed in the US have been banned overseas due to links to cancer and developmental or behavioral issues.

A proposed bill in California aims to ban five common chemicals from all foods sold in the state.

Consumer Reports found concerning levels of cadmium or lead in 23 out of 28 tested dark chocolate bars, potentially harmful at just an ounce a day.

Long-term exposure to heavy metals can cause kidney damage, hypertension, and reproductive issues.

Certain fish, like swordfish and tuna, have high levels of mercury, which can impair brain function and cause developmental delays in children.

Moderation is key; typical adults should limit consumption of high-mercury fish to one to three servings a week.

Transcripts

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Food SafetyHealth RisksPFAS ChemicalsHeavy MetalsConsumer ReportsDark ChocolateKetchup IngredientsMercury in FishRegulatory IssuesProduct PackagingHealth Awareness