Leery of today's delicatessen meats jammed into your sandwiches? Everywhere I go, people are sharing that they've discovered their favorite deli meats contain harmful chemicals and preservatives. They refuse to feed it to their families – a message rapidly spreading into the proliferating non-vegetarian community.
Here is some jolting info from Livestrong.com, et.al:
- To prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses such as botulism, meat manufacturers inject deli meats with preservatives that preserve longevity and give the deli meat its familiar color.
- Deli meats such as sausages, bacon, salami and bologna might contain more nitrites than others. Check the label and purchase deli meats that advertise "no nitrites." (Both “nitrate” and “nitrite” are defined as a salt or ester of nitric acid which is, according to Merriam Webster dictionary: a strong acid that contains nitrogen and that is used in making fertilizers, explosives, etc.)
- Sodium nitrate is said to cause stomach cancer. It's so dangerous the USDA tried to ban it back in the ‘70s. But Big Food's interests dominate government regulators: The USDA was overridden by the meat industry insisting the chemical was “safe.” Today food and agribusiness corporations hold tremendous power over the food industry leaving trusting consumers vulnerable to unsafe chemicals added to foods, medicines and personal care products.
- BHTB (butylated hydroxytoluene) is known to cause cancer in rats. Also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil, and embalming. Embalming?
- Bromates are known to destroy nutrients and cause stomach problems such as diarrhea. Categorized as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. See more at: http://befoodsmart.com/ingredients/bromates.php#sthash.Zx0ZXVO4.dpuf
- Sulfites are known to cause joint pain and heart palpitations.
What can you do? Please read ingredient labels and don't buy smoked meats made with sodium nitrite or sneaky MSG. Next time you grab a quarter pound of sliced turkey breast or bologna, be present enough to ask to see the labels; ignore the scornful looks you may get. Reduce eating red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions without first asking for details. Do your best to only purchase from locally sourced community meat processors. Spread the word about the dangers of these unholy additives. And of course eat more fresh produce and plant-based proteins.
Noxious, manmade chemicals and other poisons in the American food supply suppress your temple and mind, keeping you enslaved to a system of failed medicine. Fear not! Life goes on. Hardy full0flavored alternative meat substitutes abound. Consult this terrific resource for meat alternatives: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/vegetables-that-can-substitute-for-meat/
You deserve perfect health.
Chef Wendell hosts Eat Right Now on WISH TV 8 CBS Indianapolis. He can be reached at 317-372-2592 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Visit his website at Chefwendell.com.