Food thoughts

Weekly Food Thoughts 01/14/2010

Two days ago I was at a local grocery store, as I was passing the "can section" (you can not miss it : it is basically 2/3 of the store!) I looked at the label of Chicken Broth .... I went to the cashier and got a pen and paper, I would not miss any of the "ingredients" :
Hydrolized soy, Corn protein, Monosodium Glutamate, Chicken fat, Vegetable juice concentrate (humm ... my favorite so far) Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate etc etc etc ... oh let's not forget the Natural Flavor ....
I googled the first ingredient "Hydrolized soy" and here I just copied the first result :
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein -- The extraction process of hydrolysis involves boiling in a vat of acid (e.g., sulfuric acid) and then neutralizing the solution with a caustic soda. The resultant sludge is scraped off the top and allowed to dry. In addition to soy protein it contains free-form excitotoxic amino acids (e.g., MSG) and other potentially harmful chemicals including cancer-causing chemicals in many cases. A newer method of hydrolysis involves the use of bacteria by itself or in addition to the chemical processes described above. There is a possibility that genetically-manipulated bacteria may be used.
The food industry sometimes uses large amount of hydrolyzed proteins as a "taste enhancer" because it contains significant amounts of MSG (monosodium glutamate). This is what is known in the food industry as "Clean Labels" -- adding MSG to food, without having to list it as "MSG" on the label.
In almost all cases, hydrolyzed soy protein contains a significant amount of genetically-manipulated soy. The hydrolyzed protein products currently added to foods should be considered a detriment to one's health.
Recommended Reading: Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills by Neuroscientist Russell Blaylock, M.D.

It is late so I will let you google the other ingredients ...
see you on Saturday ...
Ps: I will go back to the store because on my list of ingredients that I carefully copied I dont chicken !!! I wonder if I missed it or not ...

Morning chat at the water cooler ...