Every day, we make choices that define our lives, often unaware that what we consume may be harming us. Food, that essential building block of life, should nourish us physically, mentally, and spiritually. Yet, for those living in the United States, the very sustenance meant to uplift may be quietly undermining health, vitality, and well-being.
Let us dig into why foods in the United States are filled with artificial additives, toxic chemicals, and unnecessary ingredients, compared to their international counterparts. This isn’t just a story about food—it’s a tale of corporate greed, government complicity, and the need for an informed populace to reclaim control over their health.
1. The Regulatory Double Standard
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) governs food additives. Unfortunately, its regulations often prioritize corporate interests over consumer safety. For example, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), found in everything from sodas to bread, is heavily used in the U.S. due to subsidies on corn production. HFCS has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and liver disease. Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Contrast this with the European Union (EU), where HFCS is limited due to health concerns. Instead, sugar or natural sweeteners are used, showcasing how regulatory frameworks reflect differing priorities.
2. The Artificial Color Conspiracy
In the U.S., products like Skittles, Doritos, and Gatorade gleam with synthetic colors such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. These dyes are petroleum-based chemicals linked to hyperactivity in children and potential carcinogenic effects. Source: Environmental Health Perspectives.
The EU mandates warning labels on foods containing artificial dyes, discouraging manufacturers from their use. As a result, the same products in Europe are colored with natural alternatives like beet juice or paprika.
3. Toxic Bread and Subway’s “Yoga Mat Chemical”
Subway came under fire in the U.S. for using azodicarbonamide, a chemical also found in yoga mats and rubber products, as a dough conditioner. This chemical is banned in Europe and Australia. Following public backlash, Subway removed it from its recipes in 2014, yet its initial inclusion speaks volumes about the permissiveness of U.S. regulations. Source: Environmental Working Group (EWG).
4. GMOs: Experimenting with Your Health
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a cornerstone of U.S. agriculture, found in 75% of processed foods. While proponents argue that GMOs enhance food security, critics highlight their potential links to allergies, gut health issues, and even cancer. The EU enforces strict GMO labeling laws, empowering consumers to make informed choices, while the U.S. relies on voluntary disclosures. Source: World Health Organization (WHO).
5. The Real Cost of “Cheap” Food
Artificial additives often lower production costs, making processed foods appear “affordable.” But the long-term health costs are staggering: rising obesity rates, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. A 2022 report from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimated that diet-related illnesses cost the U.S. over $1 trillion annually in healthcare expenses. Source: Harvard Public Health Review.
6. A Call to Action: What You Can Do
While this information may seem overwhelming, knowledge is power. Here are actionable steps to protect your health:
- Read Labels Carefully: Avoid foods with artificial dyes, HFCS, and unrecognizable ingredients.
- Choose Organic or Non-GMO Certified Products: Look for trusted certifications to avoid harmful chemicals and GMOs.
- Support Local Farmers: Buy fresh, seasonal produce to reduce reliance on processed foods.
- Demand Transparency: Advocate for stricter labeling laws and regulations through petitions and consumer organizations.
7. Why Does This Matter?
Food isn’t just sustenance; it’s energy, it’s vibration, and it’s life itself. When you consume synthetic chemicals, you compromise not only your physical health but also your ability to vibrate at higher frequencies. The ancients understood that food was sacred—an offering to the body and spirit alike. Yet today, we’ve allowed corporations to dictate the very essence of what we put into our bodies.
But the good news is, you have the power to change this narrative. As individuals awaken to the truth, collective consciousness can shift. When we demand better, corporations and governments have no choice but to listen.
Sources for Your Journey
- National Institutes of Health: High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Environmental Health Perspectives: Artificial Dyes
- Environmental Working Group: Azodicarbonamide
- World Health Organization: GMOs
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Diet-Related Costs
List
Many food products sold in the United States contain more artificial additives and chemicals compared to their international counterparts. Below is a list of 15 such products, highlighting the parent company, brand, and specific item:
- Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes
- Parent Company: Kellogg’s
- U.S. Version: Contains high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors.
- International Version: Uses sugar and natural flavors.
- Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
- Parent Company: Kraft Heinz
- U.S. Version: Includes artificial dyes like Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.
- International Version: Utilizes natural colorings such as paprika and beta-carotene.
- McDonald’s French Fries
- Parent Company: McDonald’s Corporation
- U.S. Version: Contains additives like dimethylpolysiloxane and TBHQ.
- International Version: Made with potatoes, oil, and salt, without these additives.
- Doritos (Nacho Cheese)
- Parent Company: PepsiCo (Frito-Lay)
- U.S. Version: Contains artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 6.
- International Version: Uses natural coloring agents.
- Mountain Dew
- Parent Company: PepsiCo
- U.S. Version: Contains brominated vegetable oil (BVO) and high fructose corn syrup.
- International Version: Formulated without BVO and uses sugar instead.
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal
- Parent Company: PepsiCo
- U.S. Version: Includes artificial flavors and preservatives.
- International Version: Contains natural flavors and fewer additives.
- Betty Crocker Cake Mixes
- Parent Company: General Mills
- U.S. Version: Contains artificial colors and partially hydrogenated oils.
- International Version: Uses natural colors and avoids trans fats.
- Pringles
- Parent Company: Kellogg’s
- U.S. Version: Contains artificial flavors and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
- International Version: Uses natural flavors and omits MSG.
- Gatorade
- Parent Company: PepsiCo
- U.S. Version: Contains artificial colors and brominated vegetable oil.
- International Version: Uses natural colors and excludes BVO.
- Skittles
- Parent Company: Mars, Incorporated
- U.S. Version: Contains artificial colors like Yellow 5 and Red 40.
- International Version: Uses natural coloring agents.
- Ritz Crackers
- Parent Company: Mondelez International
- U.S. Version: Contains partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup.
- International Version: Uses healthier oils and sugar.
- Subway Bread
- Parent Company: Subway
- U.S. Version: Previously contained azodicarbonamide, a dough conditioner.
- International Version: Formulated without azodicarbonamide.
- Starbucks Frappuccinos (Bottled)
- Parent Company: Starbucks Corporation
- U.S. Version: Contains artificial flavors and preservatives.
- International Version: Uses natural flavors and fewer additives.
- Heinz Ketchup
- Parent Company: Kraft Heinz
- U.S. Version: Contains high fructose corn syrup.
- International Version: Uses sugar instead.
- Campbell’s Tomato Soup
- Parent Company: Campbell Soup Company
- U.S. Version: Contains high fructose corn syrup and additives.
- International Version: Uses sugar and fewer additives.
Let’s hold ourselves and the companies that feed us to a higher standard. Choose wisely, and together, let us build a healthier, more enlightened future.
In service to truth,
~Tony Vortex
Tony, thank you for giving us information to require more from some of our nation’s largest food producers!