Today I discovered two great Food and Drug Administration (FDA) YouTube videos!
Both videos teach you the ins-and-outs of food selection, storage, and preparation. The first video involves fruits and veggies, while the second video is all about fish.
To end your weekend, here’s a quick post about the mysterious ingredient …
Quinine is a flavoring found in tonic water, quinine water, and bitter lemon; it’s also the stuff that makes tonic fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Found naturally in the bark of the cinchona tree, quinine was the first effective treatment for malaria and was used therapeutically in the 17th century. Even today, quinine is used as a drug to cure malaria by killing the organisms that cause the disease.
Furthermore, quinine was once used for the treatment and prevention of night leg cramps. But, in 1994, the FDA banned the use of over-the-counter quinine for this purpose. Quinine may cause serious or life-threatening side effects, including severe bleeding, kidney damage, irregular heartbeat, and intense allergic reactions.
Although quinine is relatively poorly tested, pregnant ladies should avoid these products as they may cause birth defects (The Center for Science In the Public Interest).
Thankfully, the FDA limits the amount of quinine in tonic water due to the dangers of overconsumption. Once again, MODERATION is key!
P.S. To end my post, I would like to share my friend Johnny’s gin and tonic recipe …
MY FAVORITE: tons of tonic with a little gin, some crushed up strawberries, and a little sugar, and a lot of crushed ice! So refreshing! (a picture will hopefully be posted tomorrow!)
The Center For Science In The Public Interest has great information on legal and banned food additives. I just recently came across this brilliant list of banned food additives on their website and had to share it!!
The list is quite long, so I’m giving you a little snippet below, for the full list click on the picture above!!!
| Additive |
Function |
Natural or Synthetic |
Year Banned |
Problem |
| Orange B | artificial coloring | synthetic | 1978 (ban never finalized) | Contained low levels of a cancer-causing contaminant. Orange B was used only in sausage casings to color sausages, but is no longer used in the United States. |
| Red 1, 2 | artificial coloring | synthetic | 1961, 1976 | Liver cancer, possible carcinogen |
| Red 4 | artificial coloring | synthetic | 1976 | High levels damaged adrenal cortex of dog; after 1965 it was used only in maraschino cherries and certain pills; it is still allowed in externally applied drugs and cosmetics. |
| Red 32 | artificial coloring | synthetic | 1956 | Damages internal organs and may be a weak carcinogen; since 1956 it continues to be used under the name Citrus Red 2 only to color oranges (2 ppm). |
| Yellow 1 & 2 | artificial coloring | synthetic | 1959 | Intestinal lesions at high dosages. |
| cobalt salts | stabilize beer foam | synthetic | 1966 | Toxic effects on heart |
| diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) | preservative (beverages) | synthetic | 1972 | Combines with ammonia to form urethane, a carcinogen |
| ethylene glycol | solvent | synthetic | 1998 | Kidney damage |
| oil of calamus | flavoring | root of calamus | 1968 | Intestinal cancer |
|
safrole |
flavoring (root beer) | sassafras | 1960 |
Liver cancer |
I’ve been cramming glycolysis reactions into my brain all day, and now all I can think about is glucose and pyruvate. Tomorrow morning is unfortunately the day I take another biochem midterm!
However, thankfully this morning I was able to enjoy a delicious triple berry muffin from the local cafe across the street! Common Grounds Coffee!
Although Common Grounds doesn’t stay open late, it’s one of my personal favorite places in town to get ICED TEA!!! They brew all their teas on the spot. It takes just three minutes for them to brew and ice. And believe me, they have a great variety of teas! All kinds of black including apricot and peach flavors, all kinds of green, and all kinds of herbal! Basically any kind of tea that you can think of, they have it, and they can ice it!!! Ever thought of what an Earl Grey tea would taste like iced??? Well, probably DELICIOUS!!! But my personal favorite so far is the Apricot Infused Black Tea.
Another personal favorite iced tea place is… PEET’S!!!! Especially in the summer when they have all their iced tea coolers!!! Berry Pomegranate Tea Cooler, Jasmine Lime Tea Cooler (fave!), and Hibiscus Breeze Tea Cooler. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!
And now that we are are on the topic of Peet’s let’s talk about labeling. Peet’s has coffee labeled as “Fair Trade Certified.” What does that mean???
“Fair Trade Certified” is a registered trademark owned by FLO International. This “Fair Trade Certified” claim is third-party verified, addresses multiple issues, and meets tough standards developed by an open or consensus-based process. Members of this fair trade commits to biodiversity-enhancing methods, ensures children’s rights, supports safe working conditions and other fair-trade measures and policies.
Peet’s is also Rainforest Alliance Certified. What does that mean????
Rainforest Alliance is an independent body working to conserve biodiversity as well as ensuring sustainable living. Rainforest Alliance works with people whose lives depend on the land, which develops the way they grow food, harvest wood, and welcome travelers. They set high standards for environmental protection, worker rights, and the interests of local communities. Some pesticide use is allowed.
Interested in what other labels mean… including labels on you milk, wine, fish, meat, eggs, produce, and processed foods???
When processed foods are labeled as “natural,” is that claim true? and what does it mean?
The claim “natural” on processed foods is not a reliable claim! “Natural” is not defined by the USDA or FDA for processed foods. According to the USDA, meat and poultry labeled “natural” contain no added colors or artificial ingredients and haven’t been processed or altered. Neither the USDA nor the FDA regulate the label “natural” for any other food products, leaving the decision to use the label “natural” up to the manufacturers.
Still interested?? I found yet another app for that!!! “Label Lookup” and it’s free!
“Food-Tox-Tips-On-The-Go!!”
I have recently come across some more great and FREE apps for your smartphone!
Dirty Dozen: Which I have mentioned before, is the EWG‘s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.
True Food: The Center for Food Safety App. Tells you “What’s New” in the food safety world, and gives you a Shopper’s Guide to GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
FDA: Gives you all the Food and Drug Administration news; including recent recalls, food safety news, and consumer news.
and lastly…
Recalls: Gives you all the recall news! Including food, consumer products, drugs, child safety seats, motor vehicles, vehicle equipment, and tires. We are obviously interested in the food recalls section, which is great! The section includes recall news from the FDA and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)!!
