Say it isn’t so!

Say it isn’t so …

Haven’t we been taught that foods sold in the U.S. are basically, for-the-most-part, kinda, somewhat safe?

I mean, that’s what the FDA is for, right?

Hmmm … not exactly.

“For numerous suspicious and disturbing reasons, the U.S. has allowed foods that are banned in many other developed countries into our food supply,” warns nutritionist Mira Calton, who co-authored the new book, Rich Food, Poor Food.

Calton and her husband spent six years traveling the seven continents to investigate food additives and ingredients. From their research, they compiled a list of dubious products that, although forbidden by foreign governments for health reasons, are permitted in foods sold here in the U.S.

Here are the top 13 offenders:

• Artificial Colors
• Olestra (or Olean)
• Brominated Vegetable Oil (or BVO)
• Potassium Bromate (or Brominated Flour)
• Azodicarbonamide
• BHA and BHT
• Synthetic Hormones (rBGH and rBST)
• Arsenic

The good news is that careful perusal of ingredient labels can help you avoid all of these nasties, and by choosing better products, you’ll also contribute to positive changes in the food industry.

“If you see any of the following ingredients listed on the nutrition label, don’t buy the product,” Calton advises. “Leaving these banned bad boys on the shelves will speak volumes to grocery stores and food manufacturers about what informed consumers simply won’t tolerate.”

Learn more about the uses and hazards of these additives in this article in Shape magazine.