Video: Harmful Chemicals Are Flooding the US Food Supply
Story at a glance
- The FDA allows food manufacturers to introduce new additives without independent safety testing, meaning thousands of chemicals are in the U.S. food supply with little oversight
- Many food additives, including emulsifiers and preservatives, disrupt gut bacteria, leading to inflammation, metabolic disorders, and immune dysfunction
- The Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) loophole allows companies to self-certify chemicals as safe, even when long-term health effects are unknown
- Heavy metals like arsenic and lead are present in common foods due to weak enforcement standards, contributing to cognitive decline and increased disease risk
- Avoiding ultraprocessed foods, choosing organic when possible, and learning how to read ingredient labels will drastically reduce exposure to harmful additives