Chemicals in foods to increase profits.
By shira0524
@shira0524 (482)
United States
August 22, 2010 1:26pm CST
What do you think about the fact that most foods we eat today have some kind of chemical or artificial flavor/color in them as a way to increase profitability? Okay, sometimes it's to keep food from spoiling too fast, but it really bothers me that almost everything we have has chemicals in it. And all-natural or organic costs more to buy! I try to buy all-natural and organic, but sometimes I just can't afford to. I really hate knowing how many chemicals I am putting into my body on a daily basis, however.
What's your opinion on this, and do you have any recommendations of how you affordably try to reduce the amount of poisons your body is forced to take in?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@for3verfamous (2190)
• Canada
23 Aug 10
I'm not sure how I feel about it. They make the food last longer so that kind of helps us too.. But I don't know how unhealthy the chemicals are or anything.
You could always try buying organic food though. It's more expensive but you won't get those chemicals.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
23 Aug 10
Yes, as I stated, I do try to buy organic when I can but sometimes food is twice as expensive and I don't think that's really fair considering the less expensive, chemical-laden food is not as healthy.
@for3verfamous (2190)
• Canada
23 Aug 10
It's really not. I have never bought organic because I can't afford it. It makes sense though because the store probably can't afford a bunch of food that will go bad, they'd have to throw it out if they didn't have the chemicals.
So I'm not sure which is better.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
25 Aug 10
The store that I shop at has a pretty extensive selection of their own brand of organic products which is nice... and they are less expensive than "brand name" organics, so I do buy what I can. It's just upsetting to me though, that in food production it seems that profit is always more important than health. And where does that leave us? In the long run, if you will bear with this idea... it leaves us with bigger medical bills so in the end how much $ has really been saved when the food industry and healthcare both drastically affect the economy?
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
26 Aug 10
I do agree with you that all those additives are causing a lot of illnesses such as cancer. There are some foods that don't need to be organic such as citrus fruit and bananas because the pesticides are on the out side. You buy canned goods and they contain too much salt and or sugar. I believe the food industry is killing us and the FDA is allowing it to happen.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
26 Aug 10
Yeah, this is pretty much how I feel about it all. The dollar speaks loud and the FDA needs the dollar, so they just let it happen. I personally think there are a lot of things in the world that have gone to the "what's easiest" method at the sacrifice of quality and safety and the food industry is a huge one that has done just that. Sad for us.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
25 Aug 10
well in a way yes i believe that they increase profits. increasing sugar content to sweeten it. and some add artificial flavoring to enhance the taste.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
25 Aug 10
Yep. And what does that do for us? Give us diabetes, cancer and whatever else. Terrible, if you ask me. The dollar is stronger than the need to do good for people.
@picjim (3002)
• India
23 Aug 10
What you is absolutely true.And organic foods are so expensive we cannot afford them.They say we should peel of the skin of the apple,but how healthy is it?I can't add much as to which alternative one ought to consume as i have a similar problem like you.Its a question of affording natural foods.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
25 Aug 10
I guess my main question in all of this is whether it really does save money in the long run? Sure, for the company making the food, but I know I am not the only one who believes that the increase in cancer and other genetic problems are in part due to all the chemicals in our foods. So when so many people are being treated for cancers and other conditions and sicknesses... is it really cheaper? But I guess we'd have to get the food companies to actually acknowledge that all their additives are part of the problem first.
