Latest news with #processedfood
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Find that Hosing Glizzies Is Basically a Death Sentence
As millions of Americans stock up on hot dogs ahead of Independence Day, researchers have some bad news: those franks are deadly — no tails, snouts, or butts about it. The tragic news comes from a survey published in Nature Medicine, an esteemed biomedical research journal. Combing over 60 previous nutrition studies on processed foods — specifically cured meat, sugary drinks, and trans fatty acids, all staples of the North American diet — researchers determined there's "no safe amount" of processed food humans can eat. The survey established an iron-clad link between the consumption of those three foodstuffs and chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and colon cancer. For example, the data showed that even eating one hot dog a day leads to an 11 percent greater risk of type 2 diabetes, and a seven percent increased risk of colon cancer, compared to non-glizzy guzzlers. "This current research has shown, yet again and consistent with prior research… that to achieve health gains it is best to avoid or minimize the habitual consumption of each of processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and industrially produced trans fatty acids," Dr. Nita Forouhi, head of nutritional epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, told CNN. While the science seems sound, decoupling America from the humble frankfurter may be easier said than done. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) — arguably a biased source — the US collectively consumes anywhere between 9 and 20 billion hot dogs per year. It's estimated that some 150 million of those are eaten on the 4th of July alone. Meanwhile, a 2021 survey reported by BEEF Magazine — seriously, who else has this kind of data? — found that 73 percent of Americans believe hot dogs are "essential to a cookout." Of course, hot dogs are just one of many things consumed around the world that aren't necessarily "good" for you. But for Jamie Loftus, the author of "Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs," the glizzy is the perfect avatar to represent everything wrong with the industrial meat industry. In her book, Loftus follows the frank along its entire lifecycle, detailing the depression-era roots of the hot dog, the role of hot dog eating competitions, the horrors of factory farming, and the lack of federal oversight over meat industry labor conditions. It's not a pretty story, to put it mildly, but it is an important reflection on the state of food in the United States — especially in light of the fact that glizzies are literally killing us. Joey Chestnut did not respond to a request for comment. More on Food: Famous Chef Boasts That He's Using AI to Invent New Recipes
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Indian government clarifies it's not coming after samosas and jalebis after outrage
The Indian health ministry has clarified that they had not issued any directive about putting up warning labels on samosas and jalebis, after concerns that the government was cracking down on the beloved street food. The government said it instead directed that cautionary boards be put up in public areas to raise awareness on harmful consumption of processed food. On Monday, Indian media reported that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has identified 14 snack items, including popular Indian street snacks like samosas, pakodas (fritters), vada pav (a spiced potato patty sandwiched in a bread roll), and some varieties of biscuits, which will be accompanied by clear cautionary notices in cafeterias and public venues. However, the following day, the ministry released a clarification stating that their advisory towards food products focused on 'display of boards in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms' and was aimed as a 'behavioural nudge to make people aware about hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products and not specifically to any particular food product'. According to The Indian Express, the directive was issued by health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on 21 June, and stated that a 'display of Sugar and Oil Boards as an initiative to promote healthier dietary habits in various settings' was being proposed. The directive included some samples of food items that included Indian snacks like samosas, kachoris, and vada pavs, as well as burgers, cakes, chocolates, and carbonated drinks as well. The initiative, which has already begun rolling out in cafeterias of state-run facilities like AIIMS Nagpur, comes amid growing concern over India's escalating lifestyle disease burden. Health experts, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Nutrition have reportedly backed the initiative, stating that it supports a larger effort to combat India's growing epidemic of non‑communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. 'It's the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings. Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating,' cardiologist Dr Amar Amale, head of the Nagpur chapter of the Cardiological Society of India, told the Times of India. Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology at Zandra Healthcare, told IndiaTimes: 'These high-calorie snacks contribute to obesity, which is a gateway to numerous chronic conditions '. He added that they also lead to excessive calorie intake with minimal nutritional value, as well as worsen digestive problems, raise the risk of fatty liver and insulin resistance, and contribute to cognitive decline, mood disorders, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and an overall weakened immune system. According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 77 million Indians live with type 2 diabetes, or roughly 9 per cent of adults, with diabetes-related complications accounting for nearly 2 per cent of all deaths annually. A Chennai-based study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals consuming high levels of refined grains, like those used in samosas and jalebis, were nearly eight times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which includes risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. At the same time, the World Health Organization has flagged trans fats, a common component of Indian street foods, as responsible for over 77,000 cardiovascular deaths each year in India. However, the move has met with significant criticism from nutritionists who have argued that this campaign unfairly targets traditional Indian foods. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, who has long championed indigenous food instead of Western alternatives, posted a message on her social media questioning why processed snacks continue to be eaten without warning. 'Tobacco is an independent risk factor. It harms irrespective of environment and lifestyle. There is ample proof of that. Samosa and jalebi ne aap ka kya bigada hai? ( What have samosas and jalebis done to deserve this?) If we are serious about health warnings – colas, chips, cookies etc. must get them first. Regulate and tax big food,' she wrote. 'Ultra-processed food products are the real problem. And there is ample proof of that, too,' Diwekar added in her caption. Milind Deora, MP, in a post on social media platform X noted that the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee is currently reviewing food regulator FSSAI's plans to tackle India's growing obesity crisis. 'We have unanimously advocated uniform regulations across all food categories, including alcohol, so Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. Former parliamentarian Milind Deora also criticised the government's focus in a post on X, formerly Twitter, urging a level playing field so that 'Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. Reactions from Indians have been mixed; while some see the warnings as overdue, others have questioned whether the signs will truly change eating habits or serve to stigmatise comfort foods. 'Let's also have them on packaged foods, processed foods, pizzas, burgers, cold storage meats, chips, soft drinks, etc?' wrote writer Kiran Manral. 'You don't eat jalebis and samosas for health. You indulge for delight unlike alcohol or cigarettes or pan masala. While former are indulgences (not necessarily healthy), they don't fit into the same category as products that require health warnings,' wrote a person on X.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Indian government clarifies it's not coming after samosas and jalebis after outrage
The Indian health ministry has clarified that they had not issued any directive about putting up warning labels on samosas and jalebis, after concerns that the government was cracking down on the beloved street food. The government said it instead directed that cautionary boards be put up in public areas to raise awareness on harmful consumption of processed food. On Monday, Indian media reported that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has identified 14 snack items, including popular Indian street snacks like samosas, pakodas (fritters), vada pav (a spiced potato patty sandwiched in a bread roll), and some varieties of biscuits, which will be accompanied by clear cautionary notices in cafeterias and public venues. However, the following day, the ministry released a clarification stating that their advisory towards food products focused on 'display of boards in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms' and was aimed as a 'behavioural nudge to make people aware about hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products and not specifically to any particular food product'. 📢Advisory issued by Union Health Ministry to display Oil and Sugar Boards in workplaces is an initiative to promote healthier dietary habitsThese Boards serve as behavioural nudges regarding hidden fats and excess sugar in various food productsThe Advisory does not direct… — PIB India (@PIB_India) July 15, 2025 According to The Indian Express, the directive was issued by health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on 21 June, and stated that a 'display of Sugar and Oil Boards as an initiative to promote healthier dietary habits in various settings' was being proposed. The directive included some samples of food items that included Indian snacks like samosas, kachoris, and vada pavs, as well as burgers, cakes, chocolates, and carbonated drinks as well. The initiative, which has already begun rolling out in cafeterias of state-run facilities like AIIMS Nagpur, comes amid growing concern over India's escalating lifestyle disease burden. Health experts, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Nutrition have reportedly backed the initiative, stating that it supports a larger effort to combat India's growing epidemic of non‑communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Thanks to Hon'ble @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji's push for healthier workplaces, @MoHFW_INDIA has urged all govt offices to prominently display Sugar Boards. Sharing model Sugar Boards to display in offices. Tag us in your stories/postsDownload: @ICMRDELHI — ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition (@ICMRNIN) July 8, 2025 'It's the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings. Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating,' cardiologist Dr Amar Amale, head of the Nagpur chapter of the Cardiological Society of India, told the Times of India. Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology at Zandra Healthcare, told IndiaTimes: 'These high-calorie snacks contribute to obesity, which is a gateway to numerous chronic conditions'. He added that they also lead to excessive calorie intake with minimal nutritional value, as well as worsen digestive problems, raise the risk of fatty liver and insulin resistance, and contribute to cognitive decline, mood disorders, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and an overall weakened immune system. According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 77 million Indians live with type 2 diabetes, or roughly 9 per cent of adults, with diabetes-related complications accounting for nearly 2 per cent of all deaths annually. A Chennai-based study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals consuming high levels of refined grains, like those used in samosas and jalebis, were nearly eight times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which includes risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. The Indian government is poised to impose warning boards alongside beloved Indian snacks like samosas and jalebis to highlight their hidden oil, sugar, and trans-fat content (AFP via Getty Images) At the same time, the World Health Organization has flagged trans fats, a common component of Indian street foods, as responsible for over 77,000 cardiovascular deaths each year in India. However, the move has met with significant criticism from nutritionists who have argued that this campaign unfairly targets traditional Indian foods. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, who has long championed indigenous food instead of Western alternatives, posted a message on her social media questioning why processed snacks continue to be eaten without warning. 'Tobacco is an independent risk factor. It harms irrespective of environment and lifestyle. There is ample proof of that. Samosa and jalebi ne aap ka kya bigada hai? ( What have samosas and jalebis done to deserve this?) If we are serious about health warnings – colas, chips, cookies etc. must get them first. Regulate and tax big food,' she wrote. 'Ultra-processed food products are the real problem. And there is ample proof of that, too,' Diwekar added in her caption. Milind Deora, MP, in a post on social media platform X noted that the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee is currently reviewing food regulator FSSAI's plans to tackle India's growing obesity crisis. 'We have unanimously advocated uniform regulations across all food categories, including alcohol, so Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. Former parliamentarian Milind Deora also criticised the government's focus in a post on X, formerly Twitter, urging a level playing field so that 'Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. In light of @MoHFW_INDIA's move to inform consumers about ingredients in samosas & jalebis, the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee, which I chair, is currently reviewing @fssaiindia's plans to tackle India's growing #Obesity crisis, in line with PM @narendramodi ji's… — Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) July 14, 2025 Reactions from Indians have been mixed; while some see the warnings as overdue, others have questioned whether the signs will truly change eating habits or serve to stigmatise comfort foods. 'Let's also have them on packaged foods, processed foods, pizzas, burgers, cold storage meats, chips, soft drinks, etc?' wrote writer Kiran Manral. 'You don't eat jalebis and samosas for health. You indulge for delight unlike alcohol or cigarettes or pan masala. While former are indulgences (not necessarily healthy), they don't fit into the same category as products that require health warnings,' wrote a person on X. The bridges fall with unprecedented frequency, people die but the regime worried about health risks of samosa-jalebi-pakora. What a cruel joke it has become. — Urvish Kothari ~ उर्वीश कोठारी (@urvish2020) July 15, 2025 I support a statutory warning on samosa-jalebi. It should say in bold letters: It's criminal to have just — ᴋᴀᴍʟᴇsʜ sɪɴɢʜ / tau (@kamleshksingh) July 14, 2025
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Health
- Bloomberg
Is the Kraft Heinz Split the Prelude to a Disappearing Act?
When schools returned to in-person learning in fall 2021 after the pandemic, parents scrambled to find Lunchables to put in their children's backpacks. Today, the meal kit of processed meats and cheese may be off the menu amid the desire for healthier food, but its manufacturer, Kraft Heinz Co., is firmly on it.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Would you be happy for your gran to eat this? Disturbing 'slop' photo from Aussie aged care home sparks uproar - with a celebrity coming under fire
A nauseating photo of a processed meal served at a major Australian aged care facility has sparked uproar. The meal, described as 'abhorrent' with an 'off-putting odour', featured a white blob of what appeared to be reconstituted potato alongside pureed green and brown mounds. LinkedIn user Denise Abrahams shared the image to social media, claiming the quality of the food left a visitor to an unnamed residential facility run by a major commercial aged care provider 'shocked'. Given the scene, Ms Abrahams questioned the effectiveness of taxpayer-funded nutrition programs such as those offered by the Maggie Beer Foundation - the charity started by the celebrity chef to improve food in aged care. 'I was annoyed that this still exists in light of the many millions paid to Maggie Beer to solve the problem of getting fresh, nutritious food served in facilities and other claimed initiatives by government for this purpose,' she posted. Hundreds weighed in on the controversy, with many calling the quality of the food a national disgrace. Some labelled the meal 'inhumane', while others accused aged care providers of putting profit before people. 'This is absolutely unacceptable,' said one. 'We are talking about feeding the most vulnerable members of our communities, our elders, and this is what's being served. 'A chemically processed, nutritionally empty plate that wouldn't pass in a school cafeteria, let alone a residential care facility. 'If we wouldn't serve this to our kids or our pets, why are we giving it to our elders under the guise of care?' Be Fit Food owner Kate Save said the problem with most aged care facilities was the budget allocated to meals rarely met the needs of residents. However, another person argued that while he wasn't excusing the poor quality of the food pictured, some people in aged care had dysphagia and other eating disorders that required food to be a mushy consistency. 'Anglicare has a food factory where they actually spend a lot of effort crafting and trialling to produce 'interesting' food to meet this need,' he said. A government aged care sector performance report released this month identified food and nutrition as a top three risk area for the industry. Between January and March 2025 staff from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission visited 88 dining rooms across Australia to monitor the dining experience of people receiving care at those services. The most common issue was staff incorrectly preparing or providing texture-modified food and thickened fluids. It found the poor quality of meals was considered a result of 'cost-cutting' measures in place within the service and the need to source cheaper ingredients. There were also concerns that resident nutritional plans were not followed and contributed to weight loss amongst residents due to insufficient food quantities and inadequate nutrition. The Commission has established a Food, Nutrition and Dining Advisory Support Unit and hotline to help aged care staff and providers to deliver higher quality and more nutritious meals to people in aged care. In 2025, an impact report from Maggie Beer's foundation claimed the program had improved food standards for 9000 aged care residents, employed 13 chef trainers nationwide, and conducted 157 menu appraisals over the past decade. But with more than 200,000 Australians living in aged care, critics say the reach is still limited. A survey commissioned by the foundation and conducted by Flinders University's Aged Care Food and Nutrition Research Team found just 67 per cent of aged care residents were satisfied with the food they received.
