Facts the Food Industry Would Rather You Not Know

How much do you know about what’s on your plate?

The food industry has quite a few hidden secrets, and it’s not a bad idea to make sure you’re aware of them, so that you know exactly what you’re eating.
While not all foods, brands, or manufacturers follow the same practices, these insights can help you make more informed choices. Being aware of potential issues allows you to check labels, ask questions, and ensure you’re getting what you expect.

Let’s take a look at 15 secrets you should probably get to know:

Mercury in Seafood

Adding fish to your diet is generally a good idea due to the protein and essential oils it provides. However, due to their diet of smaller fish, fish like tuna and mackerel contain high levels of mercury.

Too much mercury is harmful to your brain and nervous system, so the FDA advises limiting the consumption of high-mercury fish to once a week.

Use of Artificial Dyes to Enhance Color

Dyes are prevalent in all sorts of foods and are used to make food appear fresher and more appealing.

However, the long-term effects of consuming food dyes remain unclear, and many dyes that are banned in Europe are still legal in the United States.

You can avoid artificial dyes by checking ingredients and opting for products with natural dyes.

Mislabeling of Imported Foods

Can you be sure your olive oil is from Italy?

Imported foods are often mislabeled as coming from more exotic locations than they are, and manufacturers use loopholes to blend products to include small amounts of ingredients from certain countries or relabel products after they have passed through a country in transit.

Check the certifications on your products to be sure of their origins.

Wax Coatings on Fruits and Vegetables

Did you know that wax coatings are applied to many fruits and vegetables?

Apples, cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes commonly have wax applied, as it is believed to slow down shrinkage and prevent food from being damaged in transit.

However, wax coatings can trap dirt and bacteria, making them difficult to remove, so always thoroughly wash your fruit and vegetables before eating them.

Recycled Cooking Oil in Restaurants

Be wary of less reputable restaurants that recycle their cooking oil.

While recycled oil may not seem like a big deal, there are strict regulations around the process, and if these are not followed correctly, you could be exposing yourself to harmful compounds and trans fats.

You can avoid this by asking questions about how the food has been prepared in smaller restaurants.

Misleading Portion Sizes on Labels

Nutritional information on food packaging is invaluable if you are watching what you eat.

However, it is often undermined by unrealistic portion sizes. Check to see if the portion size listed on the packaging matches what you are likely to eat, as underestimating means you could consume a lot more calories than you are expecting.

High Sodium Content in Canned Foods

Too much salt is bad for your health, but you may be consuming a lot more than you think.

Canned soups, vegetables, and beans often contain very high sodium levels. Sodium is used to enhance flavor and as a preservative.

Sodium content is usually included in the nutritional information, so check the side of the can before putting it in your shopping basket.

Additives in Processed Snacks

Have you ever struggled to put a bag of chips or cookies down?

Processed snacks often contain high levels of salt, sugar, and artificial flavoring, which makes them even more addictive.

While they are safe to have for a treat every once in a while, eating too many processed snacks can cause health conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease.

Water Injections in Poultry to Add Weight

As meat is bought by the pound, it is not uncommon for poultry to be injected with water to increase the weight and, therefore, the price.

While this is legal in the US, it is considered deceptive marketing. The water injected disappears during cooking, shrinking food like chicken breasts.

There are also health concerns, as the water injected often contains high salt levels.

Organic Products That Still Use Chemicals

Many consumers assume that products certified as organic are entirely chemical-free, but that is not always the case.

Although organic products are not supposed to be farmed using synthetic chemicals, natural pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are allowed.

While this is still better for the environment than regular farming practices, it may have health implications if consumed in large quantities.

Hidden Sugar in “Healthy” Foods and Artificial Sweeteners in “Diet” Foods

If food is marketed as “low-fat,” “natural,” or “healthy,” then it is probably worth checking the sugar content, as eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain.

Alternatively, food and drinks marketed as “diet” often contain artificial sweeteners that are also bad for you to make up for the reduced sugar content.

Overuse of Antibiotics in Livestock

Antibiotics are often used when rearing livestock to help with growth and avoid illness spreading in unsanitary farms.

The risk with the widespread use of antibiotics in farming is that bacteria will develop resistance to them.

It can also mean that people who consume meat regularly can develop antibiotic resistance over time, which may make antibiotics less effective when needed.