In the quest to restore America's health, it is crucial to distinguish between "healthier" and "healthy."
While foods devoid of estrogenic additives may be a step in the right direction, it doesn't transform sugar-laden, fat-free products into health foods overnight.
In a recent book I co-authored with conservative wellness writer Gina Bontempo, we argue that the dual crises of obesity and chronic disease in America are largely due to lifestyle changes, with the industrialization of our food supply and the adoption of low-fat diets being key contributors. Even if childhood breakfasts of sugary cereals and low-fat milk become marginally healthier, it won't resolve the crisis. The health status of Froot Loops, for instance, is unlikely to change significantly overnight.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Kellogg's Froot Loops has become a focal point in U.S. food politics. The Journal describes the cereal as "half-inch big, rainbow-colored and crunchy," and currently embroiled in a political food fight. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the cereal's most vocal critics, has threatened to eliminate artificial ingredients from the product.
Kennedy, who withdrew his independent presidential bid to support former President Donald Trump, has been nominated for the position of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. If confirmed, he would oversee a nearly $2 trillion department, which includes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one of the nation's most influential regulatory agencies.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the FDA has approved nine synthetic color additives for use in food, deeming them safe when used in accordance with FDA regulations. The FDA maintains that the majority of children do not experience adverse effects from consuming foods with these added colors, although some evidence suggests certain children may be sensitive to them.
However, the FDA's list of food additives deemed "generally recognized as safe" may not be as scientifically rigorous as Americans might assume. Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric neuroendocrinologist and professor at the University of California San Francisco, highlighted the shortcomings of the FDA's GRAS list in his 2021 book, Metabolical.
Lustig explained that prior to 1997, food companies had to petition the FDA to include a substance on the GRAS list. Now, the process is privatized and lacks a centralized list. All that's required is a meeting of scientists, who are often paid by the company, to declare a substance as GRAS. Lustig further criticized the system, stating, "They don't even have to tell the FDA they did it."
Lustig revealed that at least three thousand items on the GRAS list have never undergone review, and for at least one thousand of these, the FDA wasn't even notified. He also pointed out that the FDA doesn't systematically reconsider the safety of GRAS substances as new information becomes available.
While there are valid concerns about the additives deemed "generally recognized as safe" in hyper-processed foods, added sugar is a primary cause of chronic illness and is more addictive than cocaine. Even Canadian Froot Loops, which may be a superior brand of processed cereal, still contain 14 grams of sugar per serving.
Lustig noted, "Recent data implicates added sugar as a cause of cardiovascular mortality, even after controlling for total calories and obesity."
In September, Kennedy proposed a list of measures to "Make America Healthy Again" for The Wall Street Journal. These included reevaluating popular pesticides, reforming federal food subsidies, and eliminating junk food purchases on welfare stamps. If confirmed as HHS Secretary, Kennedy might consider adding a review of the additives on the FDA's GRAS list to his agenda.
However, while the Trump administration is making strides to improve the nation's health, Americans should not rely solely on the federal government to do the heavy lifting. For instance, whistleblowers may expose the link between tobacco and cancer, but ultimately, individuals must take the initiative to quit smoking.
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