Food additives the US compared to the EU European Union (EU) and USA flags Understanding food additives the US compared to the EU  empowers you to make better and more informed food choices for yourself and your family. Reading labels, choosing whole foods, and staying informed are the best tools you have to protect your health. How does the European Union (EU) only allow about 400 chemical food additives, while the United States has upwards of 10,000? Many of the same food

Food additives kids should avoid The last three decades have seen a surge in the chemicals added to our food. Plastics, preservatives, dyes, and sweeteners account for the majority. These are known as food additives. Most have not been studied, yet are approved. This article covers food additives harmful to children and best to avoid: dyes, preservatives, additives, sweeteners, and endocrine disruptors. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wrote a policy statement on food

Most people enjoy a cold drink without thinking twice about what is in it. But the sugar sweetened beverages risk  to your health is far greater than most people realize, affecting everything from your weight and blood sugar to your heart and overall wellbeing. Think artificially sweetened beverages are better to consume than those with sugar? Think again! Despite saving calories and reducing sugar intake, current research indicates that artificial sweeteners, also called no

Understanding food borne illness and safety  is more important than ever in today's food environment. I previously wrote about food contamination following an outbreak caused by raw onions on burgers. This was another interesting presentation at the Culinary Medicine conference with valuable information worth sharing about food borne illness and safety  and how to protect yourself and your family. The statistics: 48 million people are sickened yearly from food-borne illnesses

Preservatives have been used for years to extend the shelf-life of foods and to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in food and cosmetics. I will focus on some of the most commonly used.  BHA Butylated hydroxyanisole   and  BHT Butylated hydroxytoluene BHA  is found in preserved and cured meats such as pepperoni and sausage. BHT  is found in cereals such as Cap’n Crunch, Apple Jacks, and Fruit Loops to prolong shelf life. Years ago, General Mills removed BHT from Cinnamon

ANTIBIOTICS What most consumers do not know about meat dairy antibiotics hormones  is alarming. Antibiotics have been used since the 1940s to treat diseases in farm animals. Over time, these drugs were given to promote growth and prevent infection. Many food growers add antibiotics to the livestock feed or water to prevent illness. This also stimulates weight gain in the animal. Colorful antibiotic capsules. The majority of antibiotics made are used in farm animals. The antib

The dangers of raw unpasteurized milk children  should never be given is a warning every parent needs to hear. I read a newspaper article last month regarding raw, unpasteurized milk and its potential benefits, but that it also can contain the bird flu virus. As a pediatrician, I wish to warn parents regarding unpasteurized products, whether milk, cheeses, or juices. Raw milk can come from cows, goats, sheep, or buffalo. Pasteurizing extends the freshness and shelf-life of m

Have you been as confused as I am regarding food labels and what the terms really mean? Do they even mean anything? Some do, some don’t.  Unfortunately, much of the wording means absolutely nothing. Labels are used for marketing rather than relaying anything about the product and are tricky. Consumer beware!  It pays to know which labels and descriptions you can rely on. I will help sort through the confusion! Woman grocery shopping reading label on milk bottle. Here is a lis

Last week, I reviewed GMOs, what they are, and their pros and cons. If you haven’t read it, you might start with that. Today, I focus on why and how to avoid them. Genetic engineering has made plants resistant to certain toxins (herbicides), environmental conditions (drought), and pests (insects). As a result, much higher amounts of herbicides are used to kill weeds since they no longer kill the crops. The herbicides, more than the foods, are the concern. The primary herbicid

This article on GMOs (genetically modified organisms) is a two-part series. Once I began researching this topic, the information was too much for a single article. Today’s article explains GMOs, what they are, their development, and their pros and cons. Next week, I will review how and why to avoid them. GMOs - What are They? A tomato being injected with needle and syringe. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are made in the lab by changing its DNA. A GMO is a genetically m

An assortment of red candies, all with red dye. If you haven’t heard, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently decided to ban Red Dye 3 in food. This occurred on January 15, 2025, based on the Delaney Clause. The Delaney Clause prohibits the use of cancer-causing chemicals in foods. This is exciting news, but it has taken far too long to occur. Red dye 3 was discovered to cause cancer in rats in the 1980s. Food manufacturers have until 2027 to reformulate their product

Cancer trends in the young are deeply concerning. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 4.2% of all new cancer cases this year will occur in adolescents and young adults ages 15-39.    The word cancer in colored letters between a stethoscope and a paper cutout of a person next to a pill bottle. Cancer is on the rise in young adults. Younger adults are the only age group showing an increase in cancer incidence from 1995 to 2020. The cancer rate in this age group has ri

Understanding and reducing your food contamination risk  has never been more important. In light of the recent E. coli outbreak thought to be from raw onions served on quarter pounders from McDonald's I decided to write about ways to avoid food contamination. E. coli outbreaks used to come from undercooked meat but more recently have occurred from produce. Unfortunately it only takes a few E. coli bacteria to make you ill, making awareness of food contamination risk  an essen

I recently listened to a panel discussion that took place in Washington, DC on 9/23/24, entitled American Health and Nutrition - A Second Opinion, led by Senator Ron Johnson. Multiple professionals, bloggers, and others gave testimony. These individuals are working to expose the truth about and improve the quality of our food and the health of Americans. I watched 4 ½ hours of testimony, taking notes to pass on takeaway points. Here is the link: https://rumble.com/v5fy7bv-ame

Salt has been used for centuries to cure and preserve foods before refrigeration. Excessive salt intake typically wasn’t an issue before...

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a corn starch product that is an artificial sugar. Corn syrup, made from corn starch, is all glucose....

The last three decades have seen a surge in the chemicals added to our food. Plastics, preservatives, dyes, and sweeteners account for...

Food dyes are man-made, artificial colors approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and used by food manufacturers to cosmetically improve the appeal of food and drinks. They are almost always used in processed foods. Manufacturers prefer artificial over natural food colors because artificial ones are cheaper, more stable, and more vibrant.  A plate of colorful cupcakes...loaded with food dyes. There are absolutely no nutritional benefits to food dyes. DID YOU KNOW TH

This is the second article regarding endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs. This article focuses on minimizing and avoiding exposure to these chemicals. I have presented a lot of information in these articles. Some of this information is scary stuff. By creating awareness, we can take action to protect our families. Keep in mind that much more research is needed: on the actual risks of exposure, the amount required to cause harm, and whether these are truly dangerous. The be

Have you heard about these? I had not until the last couple of years. My goal in choosing this topic is to create awareness. Due to my background in pediatric endocrinology, I find this information fascinating and frightening. However, knowledge is power, thus being educated is the best way to protect ourselves and our children. There is much information to dispense, so I have divided this topic into two parts. This article will discuss what endocrine disruptors are and why t