Secrets the food industry doesn’t want you to know

1. Natural Flavouring

It’s natural, so it’s good for me! Or so many thinks.

For instance, “all natural” peanut butter is nutritious but “all natural”liquorice, chock full of added sugars, is most certainly is not.

Depending on the country you reside in, there may not be a criterion for a food to be labelled as natural.

So sellers may promote their products as a marketing strategy to get you to buy these “healthy” products.

2. Sugar’s many faces

Okay, so we are all familiar with sugar. And we know to look for products with no sugar added (if possible).

How about products that have an ingredient list that includes honey, glucose, sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose… Well, you get the idea.

There are many forms that sugar can come in. Those were just some of them.

Manufacturers may also use two or more different types of sugar if a product is high in sugar. That way, sugar won’t end up being the first ingredient on the list.

3. Not-so-clean chicken breasts

It’s natural to pick bigger pieces of meat when shopping, just so you get your money’s worth.

However, these may not be the wisest move. There are actually tons of antibiotics and other drugs in the meat you consume.

Factory farming relies on injecting such substances into their animals to increase their size quickly, and prevent them from getting sick in the unhygienic environment.

The drug use has increased by 57% since 2009. Even horrifying was the results that came back when chicken feather samples were tested to see what drugs they received.

Many banned antibiotics, including caffeine, acetaminophen, diphenhydramine and fluoxetine were all in the list.

So look for grass-fed and free-range meats the next time you stop by the supermarket. Granted, they’ll be smaller than what you’re used to, but believe it or not – that’s the size that is normal.

4. Fake food

Surprised? We are too.

Most cheese products aren’t really cheese. Cheese slices and processed cheese are frauds. To cut costs, manufacturers use processed milk protein instead of fresh milk to make their cheeses.

So you’re getting an imitation of cheese. Not the real thing.

5. Room for error

“It’s so low in calories!”. Yep, but that’s before you factor in the 20% error margin.

There’s no one to check that nutritional labels are accurate, so you may be getting more (or less) of what you think you’re consuming.

If you’re not losing weight, this may be why.

6. Creeping me out

If someone were to offer you a grilled beetle to eat, you’ll probably think they were crazy.

Well, you may be consuming these creepy crawlies all these while. To achieve the vibrant red colour in foods, manufacturers use crushed bugs. Yes, crushed bugs.

If the terms carmine, carmine gum, or cochineal extract look familiar to you, then you have been consuming crushed bug powder.

Who’s the crazy one now?

7. Less-than-virgin

Sure, it’s all about the Mediterranean and keto diets nowadays.

To get those healthy fats into your body, you go to the store and purchase some extra-virgin olive oil.

It costs more, but it’s all in the name of good health. Or so you believe. Sorry to break it to you, but close to 70% of oils labelled extra-virgin were actually lesser grade oils.

Because consumers can’t tell the difference in terms of taste, manufacturers either mix in other refined oils or, even worse, swap the entire bottle out for a lower quality one.

Oh, and they usually get away with it.