766: Banned Foods | Skeptical Sunday

Dec 17, 2022

David C. Smalley, a fact-checker and comedian, dives into the intriguing world of banned foods. They unveil the reasons why certain ingredients like trans fats and high fructose corn syrup are shunned in other countries while remaining in American products. Smalley dissects the hidden risks of additives like potassium bromate and highlights misleading food labels that blur the truth. The conversation culminates in a comparison of global dietary practices, shedding light on healthier living tips and encouraging mindful eating.

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INSIGHT

Coffee Mate Ban

Liquid Coffee Mate is banned in Europe due to trans fats from hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The U.S. allows it despite heart disease risks, showing differing regulations.

ANECDOTE

Coffee Mate Mishap

Jordan Harbinger's South African friend drank a bottle of Coffee Mate.
He mistook it for a beverage, highlighting cultural differences in food.

INSIGHT

Coke Ingredients

American Coke uses high fructose corn syrup, unlike Mexican and European Coke which use cane sugar.
High fructose corn syrup's link to health issues like diabetes makes it regulated in the EU.

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Why are so many of the snacks and drinks offered as safe for consumption in the United States wholly banned in other parts of the world? How bad could our favorite foodstuffs actually be?

Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and fact-checker, comedian, and podcast host David C. Smalley break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions.

Editor's note: A previous version of this show's notes erroneously declared that aspartame was banned in the EU. We are in the process of correcting this and apologize for the error.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/766

On This Week’s Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:

Coffee Mate's liquid version is banned in Europe due to the presence of trans fats (found in hydrogenated vegetable oils) that can lead to heart disease. While the US requires warning labels for these foods, they are still available to consumers.
Mexican and most European cola brands use cane sugar, while American Coke uses high fructose corn syrup, which is regulated in the EU. High fructose corn syrup has been linked to health issues such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular illnesses.
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener found in many US foods and drinks, including diet sodas and gum. It contains phenylalanine, which can cause problems for people with a rare genetic condition called PKU.
While evidence is still being gathered, there have been concerns about the potential health effects of certain artificial food dyes, particularly their potential to cause hyperactivity in children. In the European Union, these dyes are banned from use in food products, while they are widely used in the United States.
The EU has banned the use of growth hormones in cows due to concerns about potential health risks to humans and animals, as well as potential negative impacts on the environment. In the United States, however, they're commonly used in the dairy and meat industries to promote faster growth and increase milk production in cows.
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