Chemicals in Foods
on the Grocery Shelf
We all know chemicals are there - in every product we buy
from the store. But, do we know what they are called on the
common label?
How many of us read the labels? It is overwhelming and often
easier to just be ignorant of what artificial stuff is in that
food. For the last 50 years manufacturers have relied on our
apathetic attitude to make a profit in the name of nutrition
and convenience.
Try buying organic and cooking yourself. The life you
improve may be your own.
Over 1,000 New Chemicals Introduced Every Year - What This
Means For You and Your Family
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Monika_Benoit]Monika
Benoit
We live in an environment unlike any other in human history.
We are surrounded by hundreds of thousands of man made
chemicals and thousands more are introduced into our
environment and our food chain each year. The potential for
harm is staggering - it comes from the food we eat, our skin
care products, insect repellents, carpeting, plastics used in
everything from our homes to baby bottles. The constant barrage
of information we receive from the media can be misleading and
confusing and the goal of this article is to help you find and
use safer options for you and your family, and explain why it's
worth the time to do so. Luckily learning to choose which
ingredients to look for and which to avoid is easier than you
think!
Cleaning Your Home: Surprisingly simple products like baking
soda or vinegar can be an incredibly effective cleaners and are
much safer than commercially prepared cleaners that contain
synthetic ingredients - and they are much cheaper than even the
new so-called Green cleaners put out by big corporations
looking to profit off the steadily growing demographic of
consumers who are becoming more aware of the effects of harmful
chemicals. When scanning the grocery store aisles for cleaning
products keep your eyes peeled for warning labels - these are
obvious tip offs that a products has safety issues. A warning,
caution or danger label is typically not voluntary - they are
placed on a product only when required by a government safety
regulation usually after the product has already caused harm.
It is likely one or more of the ingredients, in products with
warning labels, has already caused serious injury or death.
Once you accustom your "antennae" to spotting caution labels,
and after reading the safety concerns, you may decide to find
another product with safer ingredients. Even with warning
labels people falsely assume that because these common
household products are readily available for purchase "they
must be safe" for regular use. This is simply not true.
The following is a list of ingredients commonly found in
baby products, personal products and processed foods to make
products more convenient to use, better looking, smelling or
tasting, and less likely to spoil (longer shelf life). It is
your right to know that each and every one of these chemicals
has a known or suspected health or safety concern. I recommend
printing the following list and taking it with you when you
shop. Childhood leukemia, brain tumors, learning disabilities,
brain damage, depression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and
asthma are among the health problems that have been linked to
early childhood exposure to these common household
chemicals.
Ingredients to Avoid (or minimize)
BHA, BHT sodium benzoate/nitrate/nitrites commonly known as
artificial preservatives
cocmide DEA
cocmidoproply betaine
disodium or tetrasodium EDTA
dimethicon(e) also known as dimethiconol
FD&C or D&C colors
flouride
fragrance, perfume known as parfum, aroma, flavor, scent
hydantoin (MDM or DMDM) known as formaldehyde, formalin
isopropyl, butyl, benzyl, stearyl or SD-40 alcohols
MEA, DEA or TEA known as ethanolamine, mono-, di- or
triethanolamine
methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben often called
methylparahydroxybenzoate
minreal oil, petrolatum, petroleum jelly
MSG is monosodium glutamate known as natural flavoring
PEG and PG known as polythylene glycol, propylene glycol and
propylenglycolum
quaternium-15 or polyquaternium a.k.a methenamine
SLS, ALS (sodium or ammonium lauryl sulfate) a.k.a laureth,
laurel (SLES)
sodium borate, tretraborate a.k.a boric acid
talc a.k.a talcum powder
triclosan a.k.a antibacterial
urea(s) with prefixes a.k.a midazolidinyl
artificial flavors a.k.a flavor
artificial sweetners like aspartame, sucralose labeled as
sugar-free, reduced sugar
Most ingredients in home and personal care products are not
tested for safety and do not have warning labels even though
they may contain ingredients that cause harm. Do your part by
being proactive and stay away from chemicals like these.
You and your family may benefit from the tips and resources
available at http://www.healingwithmonika.com
For weekly update on how to avoid unnecessary exposure to
synthetic chemicals visit http://livingbetterwithfewerchemicals.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monika_Benoit
http://EzineArticles.com/?Over-1,000-New-Chemicals-Introduced-Every-Year---What-This-Means-For-You-and-Your-Family&id=1970125
Since most of these additives can cause an allergic
reaction, you may want to keep track of what you are ingesting
besides food. If your makeup causes a rash, read the label
and find something that does not contain those additives.
If you break out in hives after eating a certain prepared food,
check the label to see what you need to avoid.
Answers For Your Health
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