Petroleum is made up of hydrocarbons, which are extracted from rocks and later refined into fuels, like gasoline and kerosene. Surely, these chemicals wouldn’t be in our foods, right? Unfortunately…they are. What’s worse, they’re a common additive to countless food products marketed and intended for children.
The Dangers and Poisons of Petroleum-Rich Foods
Petroleum is added in the form of food colorings, and consequently, is quietly looming throughout America’s favorite products like sports drinks, candies, and cakes. Unlike other countries, like Great Britain, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to approve petroleum-based products in spite of the overwhelming, widely available research confirming its negative side effects.
With regular consumption, ‘petroleum-rich’ foods have been proven to cause:
- Weight gain
- Hypoglycemia
- Diabetes
- Allergic reactions and flare-ups
- Hormonal imbalances (Increases estrogen and decreases testosterone)
- Birth defects
- Cancer
- Hyperactivity and ADD/ADHD
Its most dangerous, and regrettably, popular variations are yellow dye #5 and red dye #40. In fact, a whopping 90% of dyed foods on the market fall into one of these two camps. Yellow dye #5 and red dye #40 are both documented carcinogens and known allergens.
Top Five Life-Threatening Foods
Now knowing the grave dangers of eating petroleum-based dyes and petroleum-preservatives, the prevalence and quantity of these toxins in children’s foods is concerning. Marketing harmful foods towards children is not worrisome, it’s irresponsible.
Pop Tarts
Beloved by children and adults alike, this iconic brand is seemingly innocent; marketed a fruit-filled breakfast convenient option. But, America’s go-to quick morning breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up isn’t as innocent as you think. Each tart contains TBHQ (Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone), a petroleum-based product and red dye #40, both scientifically-proven to damage DNA and trigger cellular dysfunction. In fact, in several lab studies, test-animals experienced vision loss, neurotoxic side-effects, the development of tumors and even paralysis.
This is only worsened by the high dosage of high fructose corn syrup and dextrose found in pop tarts, which have been known to trigger diabetes and liver malfunction in children. It’s safe to say that pop tarts are far from a healthy start to your day.
M & Ms
M & M’s iconic colorful chocolate coating is far from healthy. In fact, each chocolate sphere is encased in a bright color-coated toxic shell. Due to the wide range of colors available in each M & M bag, there are a wide variety of colored dyes, including yellow dye #5 and #6, as well as red dye #40. These seemingly innocent color-coated chocolates are a far cry from help, scientifically-linked to diabetes and hyperactivity in children.
Fruit Snacks
The amount of children’s snacks marketed as “natural” or “fruit-filled” is staggering; especially given the fact that petroleum-based dyes are the primary ingredient used to achieve their bright color. Laced in between the sugars, like high fructose corn syrup is a troubling amount of colored dyes, especially red dye #3. This is troubling given that this red dye has been correlated to thyroid tumors. Skip the fruit snacks that are posing as healthy and opt for the real thing!
Teddy Grams
Hidden behind the cute bite-sized teddy facade is a long list of harmful petroleum ingredients. Specifically, teddy grams are ridden the TBHQ, reported to induce vomiting, nausea, and difficulty breathing in children. Do your children a favor and walk right past these “cute” snacks on your next grocery shop.
Cheetos
Coated in yellow dye #6, with every bite of Cheetos, you’re cheating your health. Its distinct bright orange color is a telltale sign of petroleum, which by now we know is a sign that we should avoid it at all costs! What’s worse, these notoriously addicting cheese-flavored snacks are also chock full of two other petroleum products: methyl benzoate and ethyl methylphenylglicidate. Put your health first and steer clear of these petroleum-laden snacks.