Another Reason to Ditch Processed Foods

I say ditch them despite the new labels required by the FDA that spell out more realistic serving sizes and supposedly give a better breakdown on ingredients including added sugars because there is yet another health hazard hidden in processed foods. Maybe the fact that we can say we are trans-fat free leads to complacency, but don’t be fooled into more complacency by the new food labels. Nearly 500 food items found on grocery store shelves in the United States, including many labeled as "healthy," contain a potentially hazardous industrial plastics chemical, Azodicarbonamide, also known as ADA. ADA was found as an ingredient in breads, bagels, tortillas, hamburger and hot dog buns, pizza, pastries, and other food products. It is also found in yoga mats but as a food additive it’s been banned in many other countries. It gets into our food during the flour bleaching process and asthma related respiratory problems, skin irritation, or cancer can be a side effect. ADA also seems to be a staple in the fast food industry with the exception of Subway. Subway restaurants were apparently called out over ADA use because of their healthy image and to their credit have discontinued the use of bread containing the chemical. The Food and Drug Administration has been around a long time (early beginnings in the late 1800s to early 1900s). Maybe it needs revamping if it is going to continue to allow hazardous chemicals like ADA to be a part of our food supply.