Wednesday, April 2, 2014

WELCOME TO "WHAT IS THAT?" WEDNESDAY

As I was enjoying an early evening snack of newly-purchased garlic-radish dip (made by a local farm in PA), I perused the list of ingredients…and there it was…..CALIUM DISODIUM EDTA.  

What the heck is that???

Mid-swallow, I did a quick Google search. Here's what I found:

EDTA is commercially manufactured from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_6010695_sodium-edta_.html#ixzz2xmbBqVY4


Health Hazards Related to Disodium EDTA

  • Disodium EDTA has become a topic of interest because of many pro-natural organizations claims that it causes toxicity in mammals. However, in products regulated by the FDA, levels of disodium EDTA is too low to cause direct harm when products are used as directed. The only time to be ultra aware of disodium EDTA content is in processed foods and beverages, where disodium EDTA in reaction with active and unstable ingredients like Vitamin C and sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) forms benzenes, a potent carcinogen. Also, EDTA is becoming an environmental pollutant due to large quantities used in industrial applications, medical applications and manufacturing
Read more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5007478_what-disodium-edta.html#ixzz2xmVpsztj

JUST LOVELY…..

In food, this stuff is used both as a preservative and color preserver. It's also used medically to treat lead poisoning.

YIKES!!! Upon further scrutiny, I found this nasty ingredient lurking elsewhere in my fridge--in commercial mayonnaise and salad dressing. I don't consume either, but my husband is fond of Hellman's and Kraft Thousand Island, so I've (perhaps out of convenience??) been ignoring this scary sounding stuff. No more head in the sand!!!

Keep your eyes peeled for this nasty stuff--and let me know where you find it!

My new mission---to make homemade mayonnaise. I'll be scouring for recipes….and promise to post the one I like best very soon!

Meantime, here's a commercial mayo I plan to try. It's not perfect (I'd prefer an olive oil-based mayo), but it's a heck of a lot better than what's on the supermarket shelves. 
Product Details



Ingredients: Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tbsp. (15 g)
Servings per Container: 14
Amount Per Serving% Daily Value
Calories70
Calories from Fat60
Total Fat7 g11%
   Saturated Fat0.5 g3%
   Polyunsaturated Fat3.5 g
   Monounsaturated Fat2.5 g
Cholesterol5 mg2%
Sodium45 mg2%
Total Carbohydrate Less than1 g0%
Protein0 g
Iron4%
Not a significant source of trans fat, dietary fiber, sugars, vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium
Other Ingredients: Water, cold pressed hemp seed oil (18%), rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, pasteurized free range egg yolk (7%), white wine vinegar, sugar, prepared dijon mustard (water, mustard seeds, distilled vinegar, salt), fruit fiber, salt, concentrated lemon juice, stabilizer: xanthan gum.


In good health,

Lisa


1 comment:

Maryann - Interior Salvage said...

Oh my, you can't let your guard down for even a minute. Ugh, one more nasty ingredient in our foods. Wonder what a lifetime of consumption does to a body??