LONGEVITY with Nathalie Niddam #403: What's REALLY In Your Food? | Dark Secrets of Ultra-Pasteurized Milk, Natural Flavors & Microplastics EXPOSED With Ben Katz
Jan 13, 2026
In a fascinating discussion with Ben Katz, an analytical chemist from UC Irvine known as Mr. Mass Spec, listeners uncover the truth behind food labeling and hidden ingredients. He reveals the dark secrets of ultra-pasteurized milk and the re-flavoring process that misleads consumers. Ben also delves into the dubious world of 'natural flavors,' microplastics in food, and the prevalence of adulteration in honey and olive oil. Trusting your instincts about food safety is key, as Ben shares his insights on what to avoid for better health.
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Mass Spec Reveals Hidden Ingredients
- Mass spectrometry measures molecular masses and fragments to identify unknown compounds in complex products.
- Ben Katz uses it to reverse-engineer foods, beverages, drugs, and perform quality control and forensics.
Viral Taco Bell Video Sparked The Channel
- A TikTok about Taco Bell meat made Ben Katz go viral and launched his "what's in it" channel.
- That success pushed him to test candy, chocolate, nicotine products, and more for the public.
Synthetic Can Be Cleaner Than "Natural"
- Plant-derived extracts can carry toxic analogs that travel with the target molecule.
- Ben argues synthetic nicotine or caffeine can be cleaner because purification yields a single known compound.