Memories Many of Us Share
Memories of bright orange fingers, an orange dusting of spices around the mouth and Mom yelling about not touching anything with my orange fingers until she can wipe them clean. A stop at the gas station during a cross country drive and being reminded not to pick the bright orange snacks because we'd get it all over the car, to pick a different flavor. There are fun and happy memories associated with the iconic heavily seasoned & colored corn chip! We all grew up with these. I'm sure you all have a similar memory or two.
Despite the fun memories, these highly flavored and colored chips contain ingredients that can impact your health or be of concern. Also, the parent company that owns the brand may not align with your values. Have you taken any of these factors into consideration of your purchasing or eating decisions?
Artificial Colors
All of these artificial colors are part of the memories we have. As children we did not know that these same dye could be cancer causing. The company has switched out from Red 3 (the dye with the highest potential health risk) for Red 40. There is still controversy over how safe Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are. I assume that the risk has to do with how we are all bio-individual. Each of us has unique genetics, gut bacteria, and health and our ability to handle different ingredients changes through life. It also has to do with exposure - some people choose to eat brightly colored foods with lots of artificial colors in combination with other risk factors and some people choose to consume a lot less. We'll see where the studies and lobbyist pressure leads ... Red 3 is in the spotlight right now.
Bio-Engineered (BE) / Genetically Modified (GMO) Industrial Oils
Besides the artificial colors, there are many other chemical ingredients that you would not find in a home kitchen. Industrial oils - soybean, canola, sunflower and corn - are prone to oxidation. When this occurs they are inflammatory and release cancer-causing byproducts. The inflammation contributes to risks for chronic metabolic diseases (obesity, heart disease, diabetes). Palm oil is more resistant to oxidation and has greater heat stability, so if eating a fried salty snack this is a better option.
Additionally, the most commonly used industrial oils: soybean, canola / rapeseed, cottonseed and corn, are all from genetically modified plants, unless specifically noted on the label. When the oil is pure enough, they may not be required to put the BE Ingredient warning on the package.
Other Bio-Engineered (BE) / Genetically Modified (GMO) Ingredients
Besides the oils, there are other bio-engineered ingredients. A Hong Kong study of the popular chip in 2012 found 7 detectable strains of genetically modified corn. These are from the corn that makes up most of the Doritos chip. Detectable means that the laboratory can measure rDNA fragments that are still in the product. For many highly refined chemical ingredients made from corn or sugar beets, they are so refined that there is no rDNA residue. Examples of these include sugar, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, corn oil.
Bio-engineered corn is designed to resist pests or resist weed killers. If the latter, this means that they can spray weed killer on the plants and not kill it - only the weeds around it. In 2016 a laboratory tested this popular chip for residual weed killer (glyphosate). There were detectable levels in it. Glyphosate is a probable carcinogen. There is controversy as industrial interests try to protect their interests. For example Bayer is stopping sale of glyphosate based RoundUp from residential use due to health risk, but the agricultural use continues.
What Influences Your Purchasing & Eating Decision?
Will any of these facts influence which corn chip you choose? When you reach for the bag on the grocery shelf to fulfill a craving for salty, fatty, crunchiness will you consider other options?
- The iconic brand that is a global top selling salty snack that has a lot of ultra-processed ingredients and bio-engineered ingredients in it?
- An organic brand?
- Something in between, just to limit exposure to some of the risks but does not impact the wallet as much as organic?
Beyond health, is it worth including a consideration of your values? Do you want the peace of mind that your hard earned money supports a company with shared values or at least is not supporting woke programs?
The top selling brand is Pepsico - FritoLay. If you pick them, your hard earned money is going toward major shareholders - BlackRock, Vanguard, StateStreet. A purchase is also funding the World Economic Forum and its globalist agenda. In 2024, they hired a Marxist transgender that wants to destroy the family and do unspeakable actions against children. After this, a purchase of Pepsico - FritoLay brands signals approval of these woke, anti-family values.
Or will you choose to purchase from a smaller private American company? One that has greater values alignment with you.
Vote with your fork (and your wallet)!
Looking for some guidance and support to make changes in your snacking in order to have more energy? Here is a free mini course - Liberate Your Snacking: Escape the Snack Pack! Choose to Energize & Satisfy!
