Yellow No. 6

Artificial food colorings...are...in...EVERYTHING! But is there a problem?

What is the pretty cost to give your food a pretty hue???

Here is information on some dyes from a source book on food additives:

Yellow No. 6 [Sunset Yellow] - This has been shown to cause allergic reactions like hives, rhinitis (runny nose), and nasal congestion. It appeared to cause tumors of the kidney and adrenal glands in rats, and it may be carcinogenic. FDA reviewed studies on rats and believes that this color is safe to use. This color is banned in Norway and Sweden. It has been found used in saugages, candy, gelatin, and baked goods.

Blue No. 1 [Brilliant Blue] - It is found in desserts, confectioneries, candies, and beverages. It has not been properly tested and is suspected to contain a small cancer risk. It is banned in Finland and France.

Blue No. 2 [Indigotine/Indigo-carmine] - Not much is known of this additive, although it was suspected to cause brain tumors in animals. It can cause allergic reactions. Aside from soft drinks, candy, and baked products, it is also found in pet foods. This is banned in Norway.

Need I even add a comment?

But WHILE we are on the subject of artificials, let's talk about how TASTY Mcfries are! Mmmm, right?!? So mouth watering! But might I add that these flash-freezed, zapped potatoes that not even MOLD will grow on because that is how far from FOOD it really is, in actuality tastes like nothing.
BUT HOW? do you say...HOW is that possible...BECAUSE OF ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS! TA-DA!

Well, actually, artificial scents that highten our own sense of taste. This is a very complex science that banks a lot of profit. These scientists are lovingly called flavorists. The world's largest and 2nd largest flavor labs/Germany's largest/Japan's largest and dozens others are ALL located in the great state of Jersey. All these Jersey companies produces 2/3rd's of America's flavor additives. They also create cosmetic scents.

Here's an interesting anecdote from "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All American Meal" by Eric Schlosser:

"Legend has it that a German scientist discovered methyl anthranilate, one of the first artificial flavors, by accident while mixing chemicals in his laboratory. Suddenly the lab was filled with the sweet smell of grapes. Methyl anthranilate later became the chief flavoring compound of grape Kool-Aid."

And from the same book:

"A typical artificial strawberry flavor, like found in a Burger King strawberry milk shake, contains the following ingredients: amyl acetate, amyl butyrate, amyl valerate, anethol, anisyl formate, benzyl acetate, benzyl isobutyrate, butyric acid, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl valerate, cognac essential oil diacetyl, dipropyl ketone, ethyl acetate, ethyl amylketone, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl heptylate, theyl lactate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, ethyl nitrate, ethyl propionate, ethyl valerate, heliotropin, hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone ...." and about 22 others. My fingers are tired.

Jenny McCarthy has recently proclaimed that she cured her son's autism. One of the many food eliminations she made was eliminating artificial colors and flavors.

Get ready for this list of where you find artficials, because its a long one.

Biggest Culprits:
1) Snacks: chips/cheesy things
2) Breakfast bars/granola bars/ protein bars
3) Fast food anything
4) Sodas/Fruit juices/energy drinks/powdered drinks
5) Ice cream/sorbets/sherberts
6) Candy/cookies/ready-made baked goods
7) Toothpaste/mouthwash/antacids
8) EVERY GOD DAMN THING

But there is a silver lining. Catch the 4th posting in March for the easy way to find these same items sans the artificials.

Love You All,

~ Turmeric