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Showing posts from November, 2014

FDA Bans First FD&C Dye! Which Will be Next?

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The FDA has moved to finally ban Red Dye No. 3 from use in food and drugs in America.  Red Dye No. 3 was first determined to be a cancer causing color additive almost 30 years ago.  Studies conducted using labs rats found that they became inflicted with the disease after consuming large amounts of Red dye No. 3.  Thirty years ago, the FDA officially banned Red Dye No. 3 from use in cosmetics but left the door open for it to be used as a color additive in food and prescription drugs.  By January 2027, the FDA has ordered that Red Dye No 3 must be removed from all food in the USA and by 2028--from all drugs. Food Manufacturers Shiver in their Boots Red Dye No. 3 has mostly been used in baked goods, sweets and candies.  It is used by prominent candy manufacturers such as Mars Inc (Skittles) and Just Born Quality Confections (Peeps).  Food Manufacturing giants such as Con Agra, McCormick, Heinz, General Mills and Pepsi Co will all have to find alternatives for ...

What's so "Super" about Superfruits?

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They’re exotic and they can often lean towards the pricier end of the monetary scale. They are touted and talked about by health fanatics and health police all over the world! What do fruits like mangosteen, acai berries, chokeberries, goji berries, noni fruit, blueberries, lychee berries, ligon berries and maqui berries have in common? These super fruits all have extremely potent antioxidant power. What makes them so “super?” Firstly, they are rich in anthocyanins, a class of polyphenol antioxidants. Polyphenol antioxidants can help to fight and ward off various inflammatory conditions. They have even been very effective in fighting various cases of cancer. Superfruits have the word “super” in them because their antioxidant content is much higher than the average fruit. Other antioxidants found in superfruits are cyanidin, flavonoids, malvidin, cumarin, and delphinidin. Some may be familiar with the saying: “The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.” In the case of the s...