Food Labels Revealed

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  none Mel describes the content of the book, “Fast Food Ingredients Revealed: What Are You Eating?”  The book was derived from the FLR podcast, but provides more details and interesting facts about additives found in fast foods, plus a whole lot more.  The Amazon publication is available in the first week of January as a print or e-book version. Show Notes: To Contact Show:...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  none FLR returns after a hiatus with several significant announcements and celebrates with still another fast food review of a new offering from the industry. Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@gmail.com Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/prophetofprocessedfood/?ref=bookmarks The podcast can be subscribed to at the iTunes store, or Google Play, or using...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  none The host makes an important announcement about the near future of the podcast.  This episode includes a replay of Episode #15, the first FLR quiz. Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@gmail.com Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/prophetofprocessedfood/?ref=bookmarks The podcast can be subscribed to at the iTunes store, or Google Play, or using most o...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  none How do new food additives make it into the food supply?  They have to get a nod from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).  In this episode, we take a look at the FDA review process and then examine a handful of proposed additives in the FDA queue to see what may show up in the processed foods of the future. Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@gmail.com F...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  none Since 2016, I’ve been reeling against overly processed foods in the American diet (also called hyper-processed or ultraprocessed foods).  My main objective has been to educate people about the industrialized ingredients in those foods, as well as raise awareness about the health detriments associated with them.  It’s one thing to simply imply that industrial foods are...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  none Since 2018, like a string of firecrackers, plant-based burgers have been exploding in the fast food industry as one drive-thru after another adds some version to their menu.  McDonald’s held back probably waiting to see how the market would respond.  Although McD’s was testing a product in Europe, they waited a long time to bring it to the USA.  Now they’re playing ca...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None Since this episode comes at the end of 2021, I decided to put together a retrospective program which has highlights from the first 20 episodes, including such topics as GRAS, nutrition facts labels, Lunchables, gum, ice cream, and bread.  So, if you’re a recent listener, who never tuned into the early days of the podcast, or a listener who would like to review some us...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  Apocarotenal When I begin to entertain the thought that fast food couldn’t get much worse than it already is, some restaurant chain comes up with some new, ultraprocessed concoction that greatly exceeds the norm.  A little over a year ago Wendy’s introduced the “Big Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger Triple,” apparently part of the "Made to Crave" menu, i.e., sandwiches designed t...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None A rare, genetic disorder called Laron Syndrome may hold the key to the development of new therapies and dietary treatments for the prevention of some cancers and Type-2 diabetes.  In this episode, the trail to these discoveries is explored in the fascinating story of the connection between dwarfism, disease, and longevity.  Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsreve...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None The Nutrition Facts Labels on packaged foods have been with us for over 30 years.  In 2018, the Food & Drug Administration issued a minor overhaul which has been slowly implemented by the food industry since that time.  What changes occurred?  What was lost?  What was gained?  What is still missing?  This show is dedicated to re-exploring the Nutrition Facts Label.  I...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None For today’s show, I return to the news format and review four recent stories about processed foods and labeling.  These stories often don’t get covered by major news outlets or they wind up on the back pages and get overlooked.  However, sometimes the articles provide interesting and useful information, which you might want to tuck away for future reference.  Show Not...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None This program features a 25-question quiz to test listener’s knowledge of previously aired content.  Think of it as a processed food IQ test.  Not to worry.  It’s all for fun, enjoyment, a bit of education.  Kick back, relax, and see how you do.  Your grades will not be permanently recorded! Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@gmail.com Facebook Page:  htt...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None Some of you, maybe most of you, have gotten wind of the relatively new technology of bio-engineering that can create novel foods or old foods in new clothing.  Maybe you heard about the $415,000 hamburger that was debuted in a restaurant in 2013.  Maybe you heard about the new ice cream prepared using bio-synthesized dairy protein.  And, less likely, maybe you read ab...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None For this episode I’ve decided to jump over to the light side and delve into some junk food trivia.  I always like to hear the back stories behind how products were created, historical tidbits, and fascinating facts.  So, sit back, relax, or just do whatever you’re doing and get ready to learn a bunch of trivia on junk foods and fast foods … stuff you may find interest...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None For today’s program, I talk with Ruth Winter, a prolific writer on the subjects of health and consumer advocacy.  She has written a whopping 37 books on a variety of topics.  She shares with us her career as a journalist and author of such notable works as “A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives” and “A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients.” Show Notes: To...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None Today, I’ve decided to do a news show.  Every so often I report on significant news stories from the world of processed foods.  The four stories reviewed in today’s program all came from recent posts on the FLR Facebook page, but, as usual, I’m not just going to read these articles, but I’ll summarize and provide commentary when necessary.  These kinds of news stories...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  Starter Distillate, Triethyl Citrate, Fractionated Palm Oil, Defatted Soy Flour, Trehalose, Glycerin, Agar Agar, Ethyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol. For today’s show, the highly popular Starbucks establishment is placed under the FLR magnifying glass.  There are surprising revelations about what’s in their food and beverages. Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@g...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None In this episode, I interview Marion Nestle, a noted author, national speaker, long-time advocate and activist in the world of commercial food and nutrition. Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@gmail.com Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/prophetofprocessedfood/?ref=bookmarks The podcast can be subscribed to at the iTunes store, or Google Play, or us...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None Just wanted to announce to my listeners that I will be taking a break from the podcast for a few months.  I’ve been releasing episodes for over 4 years now.  Personal issues in recent months have made it difficult to continue monthly programs, so I will be re-grouping and re-thinking the program in the interim.  Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@gmail.c...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None For today’s show, I continue digging into the subject of fast food restaurants by examining the worst of the worst, what I call “freaky fast foods.”  They have really become a phenomenon in recent years.  I will try to explore what that says about our society, and why that trend will probably continue into the near future. Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevea...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None There is increasing, although indirect evidence, that the American diet is linked to the severity of the pandemic in the United States.  So, with some reservations, given that this topic ranges far afield from my area of expertise, I will attempt to connect the dots between catching the virus and suffering from its complications by looking at the immune system, pre-ex...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  None This is another show dedicated to news stories about processed foods and trends.  The food industry never stays static, so you and I have to stay on our toes to be aware of the changes constantly happening.  In this episode, I go international to discuss the following topics: (1) how a neighboring country is trying to protect its kids from junk food; (2) England’s obe...

INGREDIENTS OF THE DAY:  Tallow, Hydrogenated Tallow, Magnesium Stearate, This episode is about kids and junk food.  The content of the program will consist of 3 parts: (1) kid’s health in America and the world; (2) marketing bad food to kids; and (3) examining 5 commercial products that target kids as consumers.  Along the way, you’ll learn about the Convention on the Rights of the Child … a Bill...

INGREDIENT OF THE DAY:  none  For today’s program, I’ve decided to wax nostalgic and go back to the early days when I explored individual food products on grocery store shelves and looked at all the ingredients and some of the nutritional aspects.  I do a deep dive into a Doritos tortilla chip product, namely Flamin’ Hot Nacho chips.   Show Notes: To Contact Show:  foodlabelsrevealed@gmail.com Fac...

INGREDIENT OF THE DAY:  none It’s been about 9 months since the last Food Ingredient Quiz, so it’s time, once again, to challenge you with questions taken from information provided in the previous 8 episodes. Yes, this is a quiz, BUT stay cool.  Don’t get anxious.  Don’t switch podcast channels.  Keep that hand off the dial.  This quiz is just for fun and education.  Show Notes: To Contact Show: ...