food coloring-related stories
To dye or not to dye? Quebec gets yellow margarine
There was a long-standing regulation in the Canadian province of Quebec prohibiting dairy manufacturers from adding yellow food coloring to margarine, meaning the butter-like spread came in it's natural form -- a so-called unappealing white substance. That is, until a few weeks ago. The regulation was recently lifted and Quebecois are now free to enjoy artificial coloring in their margarine, according to the National Post.
Is this a good thing? On one hand, their margarine looks like margarine does everywhere else in the world -- like butter. But I don't know how I feel about artificial colouring -- I think I'd prefer to see how my food really looks than have chemicals added to make it look good.
What do you think? Is artificial colouring in foods a yay or a nay?
Is this a good thing? On one hand, their margarine looks like margarine does everywhere else in the world -- like butter. But I don't know how I feel about artificial colouring -- I think I'd prefer to see how my food really looks than have chemicals added to make it look good.
What do you think? Is artificial colouring in foods a yay or a nay?
Food coloring may get kids stimulated
Well, this is the umpteenth time I've covered this, but a report out of England is now saying (again) that artificial colors in foods (and drinks) may end up stimulating hyperactivity in kids.It's no surprise, and with so many processed foods containing these colors currently, is it any surprise that disorders like ADHD are being diagnosed in increasing numbers?
Taking nutrition variables like this out of the equation should be a priority for everyone. Problem is, these colors are in a majority of the foods found in any modern grocery store. That is, except for health food stores.
Diet soda better or worse than the real thing?
Are you a fan of diet soda? Many folks I know switched to diet versions of their favorite soft drinks years ago to get away from the sugar and calories of normal soft drinks. While diet sodas can be looked at as healthier than normal soft drinks, I still avoid them like the plague. Why? Chemicals and other non-nutritional items.Have you looked at the sodium content of some diet soft drinks? How about aspartame content (a fake but dangerous sweetener)?
Always do what you feel is right, but in the case of diet soft drinks, the additives, fake colors, chemicals and other things sound like bad news to me. Do they to you?
Some red food coloring comes from beetles
Okay, yuck! In case you need another reason to do some research on the foods you buy, here's one: some red food colorants are made from ground beetles. Known as cochineal and carmine extracts, these colorants are derived from South and Central American beetles, and are used frequently to color candy, yogurt, juices, makeup and more. While many sources claim that the colorant is generally harmless, this article states that the substance has caused life-threatening allergic reactions in the past.
Obviously, the presence of insects raises concern for people following a vegetarian, vegan or kosher diet. Self Magazine's August issue reports that the FDA is under pressure to start requiring companies to label the additives as what they are, rather than allowing them to get away with simply putting 'color added' on the ingredients label.
Brings a whole new meaning to the term "Beetlejuice", doesn't it?
