G.M.O.

GMO…

Government Managing Office? No, it has something to do with the government, but not that agency. General Molly, INC (Stock selling for about $1.70 a share)?  They are in the business of exploring, developing, and mining molybdenum properties.

Most foods we eat may contain ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Are Genetically Modified (GM) foods safe or harmful? While regulatory authorities have approved GM food on the market, some people are concerned that there is a risk of harm. If you live in Europe, avoiding GM foods is easier since laws require labeling. In the US and Canada, however, food manufacturers are not required to label whether their food is genetically modified.   Is it a coincidence that obesity is less of an issue outside the US and Canada?

I do not have a scientific background.  Most of my knowledge is based on real-life experience.  The more I think about GMOs, the more I think about my grandfather.  He was healthy and lived short of being a 100-year-old man.  He only ate a little processed food.  Raised his food.  He had chicken, cows, and pork and raised them on grass, not chemicals.  He had a 1-acre garden, and Grandma canned extensively.  Very few GMOs or processed foods are available for them.  Made his own Ice Cream!  

Then, I think of my mom’s side of the family.  Generally, they ate out or ate processed food extensively.  Neither made it past 70 years old and had many health problems. 

I have spent much time since April 13, 2013, monitoring what food goes into my body.  I read labels and took the time to Google some complex words on some labels.  Here are some examples and the information I found:

We have Coloring agents (blue 1, blue 2, yellow 5, and yellow 6) in most 
cakes, candy, macaroni and cheese, medicines, sports drinks, soda, pet food, and cheese.  
The US allows this as we eat with our eyes. Recent studies have shown that when food manufacturers left foods in their natural, often beige-like color instead of coloring them with these chemical agents, individuals thought they tasted bland and ate less, even when the recipe wasn't altered.

The Health Hazards of coloring agents, which are made from coal tar, are also used to seal-coat products to preserve and protect the shine of industrial floors and in head lice shampoos to kill off the small bugs. Yes, we eat it!

We also have Olestra (aka Olean).  Never knew this nut then realized it is most common 
Fat-free potato chips
.  The US allows this as Procter & Gamble Co. took a quarter century and spent half a billion dollars to create “light” chips that are supposedly better for you.  Lobbyist work? They may need another half a billion bucks to figure out how to deal with the embarrassing bathroom side effects (including oily anal leakage) that come with consuming these products.
  The known health hazard is that the fat substitutes appear to cause a dramatic depletion of fat-soluble vitamins and arytenoids, robbing us of vital micro-nutrients.  " The U.K. and Canada, have banned it..

I was surprised to learn what Bronated vegetable oil (aka BVO) is, and it is found 
in sports drinks and citrus-flavored sodas.  The US allows this as it 
acts as an emulsifier, preventing the flavoring from separating and floating to the surface of beverages.  It is a health hazard as it competes with iodine for receptor sites in the body. Elevated levels of the stuff may lead to thyroid issues, such as hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, and cancer.  That's not all. BVO's main ingredient, bromine, is a poisonous chemical considered both corrosive and toxic. It's been linked to significant organ system damage, birth defects, growth problems, schizophrenia, and hearing loss, which explains why it's been nixed in more than 100 countries.

I once thought potassium was always good on a label; then I read about Potassium bromated (aka brominated flour)
.  This is common in rolls, wraps, flatbreads, bread crumbs, and bagel chips
.  The US allows this flour-bulking agent to help strengthen dough, reducing the time needed for baking and resulting in lower costs.  What health hazard does it have?   It is made with the same toxic chemical found in BVO (bromine). This additive has been associated with kidney and nervous system disorders as well as gastrointestinal discomfort.

I had to check Azodicarbonamide
 twice…  This includes breads, frozen dinners, boxed pasta mixes, and packaged baked goods.  While most countries wait a week for flour to naturally whiten, American food processors prefer to use this chemical to bleach the flour ASAP.
  I read this item was so bad, and banning this product in Singapore is not enough. You can get up to 15 years in prison and be penalized nearly half a million dollars in fines for using this chemical linked to asthma and primarily used in foamed plastics, like yoga mats and sneaker soles.

There are so many more.  Makes me think twice, well, five or more times about the food I purchase and stuff into this overweight and unhealthy person-years of preservatives created.  Do you read the labels?

Carry on, my friends.