This slideshow from FitSugar explains what some ingredients, commonly found in processed foods are.
We’ve all seen them and might want to ask WHY should we consume them? Being a consumer that questions what we purchase/eat is a good habit to participate in. In most cases, there are a number of choices and voting with your purchasing power is the most effective method to get manufactures to change THEIR behavior.
Categories: food industry · health · life
Tagged: food industry, ingredients, life, processed foods
Trying to stay on top of food industry news and other food topics I enjoy, I came across this story on the Fooducate Blog regarding Orange Juice. Although I am a fan of OJ, I tend to really only consume it for breakfast in the early morning. For the last few years, I purposely only consume a cup of fruit juice in the morning due to the high sugar content although I am really trying to eliminate it every day and maybe try it once every few days, but it’s tough because we are fans of multiple varieties of 100% juice and blends. Water is my drink of choice. Back to the OJ article though……I found it interesting that there was so much processing involved in something that is given the spin of being such a pure and wholesome drink. Sheesh, talk about having to do your homework on what you might have simply just purchased with no regard to the entire process from harvest to table. Of course, I am referring to 100% juice or blends from the usual suspects in our grocery aisles. I’m not even in the ballpark of trash like Sunny Delight, Hi-C and the other pseudo-juices that fly off the shelves.
The idea of “orange-derived substances” within something labeled 100% juice kind of concerns me and the fact that regulations remain from the 1960’s for food labeling is pretty significant. Also, the advances (and lack of regulations in the country) in shipping processes allow Brazil to be the king of orange exports. So much for American companies staying true to consumers.
Does this concern anyone else?
Categories: food industry · health · life
Tagged: food industry, juice, orange juice
Categories: food industry · health · life · video
Tagged: choice, food industry, health, life, politics
A fascinating article in the New York Times highlights the trend of some large companies trying to appeal to the Local Food Movement that seems to be en vogue at this time and getting more media attention these days. Obviously, we are all aware of the food safety issues that the US has and every few months there is some e. coli or salmonella scare due to a broken industrial food system, but the idea of the wolf trying to put on sheep clothing to get some brownie points is such a pitiful and far reaching attempt to appear legit.
I understand the mainstream US consumer is mainly concerned about the price and convenience of the “food” that many will buy and yes, this attempt by Lays, ConAgra, Kraft and others will make a splash in the marketplace due to millions of dollars in advertising budgets. As Michael Pollan mentions in the article, I also find it pretty amazing at how the industry can put a spin on something for their own profit with little regard for the consumer.
If good can come out of BIG companies attempting to be LOCAL, I hope it results in much more attention to the local food scene and the attention to small farms who struggle to compete and for the US consumer to realize that paying a little bit more for food (even if just an item or two) that actually has a face and a family attached it is not only better for them in terms of nutrition, but better for the whole community.
Categories: food industry · life
Tagged: food industry, food safety, local, local food movement
