Americans have a notorious love affair with sugar. This ingredient, often associated with obesity and health risks, finds its way into nearly every food and beverage sold in the country. With its addictive qualities likened to substances like crack and heroin, food manufacturers strategically include sugar in their products, aiming to create lifelong consumers. And unfortunately, this tactic often proves successful.
While sugar and various additives saturate the American diet, concerned food activists have devised a straightforward chart to illustrate how manufacturers, in their pursuit of profit, compromise consumer health in the United States.
Contrary to common belief, products like Heinz ketchup and Mountain Dew soda don’t necessarily contain the same ingredients worldwide. Manufacturers often use different formulations for their American versions compared to those sold in European markets. This discrepancy arises because American regulations aren’t as stringent, allowing for the inclusion of more sugar, chemicals, and additives. Consequently, Americans consume significantly higher levels of these potentially harmful ingredients compared to individuals in other parts of the world, raising serious concerns about public health in the United States.
Vani Hari, a self-described “food activist,” embarked on a mission to compare the ingredient lists of common junk food items sold in convenience stores both in America and across the Atlantic. To her dismay, she discovered a stark contrast: American products were loaded with the preservative BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and artificial coloring, whereas their counterparts in Britain, Canada, and Australia were free from these harmful additives.
What shocked Vani even more was the difference in approach to coloring. While American versions relied on artificial coloring such as Yellow 6 in Cadbury crème eggs, their British counterparts used natural ingredients like paprika extract for coloration. This natural approach demonstrates a clear effort by manufacturers outside the United States to avoid potentially harmful additives and prioritize consumer health.
