What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of petroleum? For most of us, the short list includes gasoline, lubricant, and maybe petrol-chemicals.
But–what most don’t know is that it’s also extremely prevalent in the food industry, masked with the consumer friendly name, “mineral oil.” Its biggest selling point is that unlike vegetable and olive oil, it doesn’t go bad. But why?
Because it isn’t a food!
Unlike other countries, like Great Britain, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to approve petroleum-based products in spite of the overwhelming, widely available research confirming its negative side effects.
With regular consumption, ‘petroleum-rich’ foods have been proven to cause:
- Weight gain
- Hypoglycemia
- Diabetes
- Allergic reactions and flare-ups
- Hormonal imbalances (Increases estrogen and decreases testosterone)
- Birth defects
- Cancer
- Hyperactivity and ADD/ADHD
The most common use for petroleum in food comes in the form of dye, with 90% of dyed foods on the market containing yellow dye #5 and red dye #40 – both documented as containing carcinogens and known allergens.
Top Five Life Threatening Foods
Given the main use of petroleum in foods is in the form of dye, it isn’t surprising that the prevalence and quantity of these toxins in children’s foods is concerning.
Pop Tarts
Marketed as a fruit-filled breakfast convenient option, America’s go-to quick morning breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up isn’t as innocent as you think. Each tart contains TBHQ (Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone), a petroleum-based product and red dye #40, both scientifically-proven to damage DNA and trigger cellular dysfunction. In fact, in several lab studies, test-animals experienced vision loss, neurotoxic side-effects, the development of tumors and even paralysis.
M & Ms
The bright color-coated shell encasing your favorite chocolate sphere is very toxic. Due to the wide range of colors available in each M & M bag, there are a wide variety of colored dyes, including yellow dye #5 and #6, as well as red dye #40. M & M’s have been scientifically-linked to diabetes and hyperactivity in children.
Fruit Snacks
This American staple is loaded with petroleum-based dye, especially red dye #3. Troubling given that this red dye has been correlated to thyroid tumors.
Teddy Grams
Teddy grams are loaded with TBHQ — reported inducing vomiting, nausea, and difficulty breathing in children.
Cheetos
Coated in yellow dye #6, its distinctive bright orange color is eye catching, and a sure fire sign of petroleum. In addition to the dye, Cheetos are also full of two other petroleum products: methyl benzoate and ethyl methylphenylglicidate. If you found this article useful, please share with friends and family by clicking the button below!
