What Is the Function of the FDA?

 You all know that I am frustrated with the state of the food here in the USA. I wish I'd been more aware years ago. I have health issues now that force me to be more aware. Recently, I posted a query on Google Search: "foods and beverages made differently for the us market". That's it. This is what came back:

Why? I did another query "why does the fda allow foods in US that are banned on other places"

Let's keep going. "Why doesn't the usfda protect us more"

I realized I could have used better wording, like, "Why doesn't the usfda do more to protect us"

The query worded differently got an answer worded differently. But it all comes down to the same thing, doesn't it? Now I have a different query: "Does the better food regulation in the eu make a health difference":

Since politicians have stopped hearing us once they get into power, we have to do the best we can to protect ourselves.

Recently, I had to visit a larger city for a doctor's appointment. While there, my SIL and I took the opportunity to visit some of the European groceries. We have decided that it's worth making the 2-hour one-way drive there and back to do some occasional shopping. 

Long ago, I began buying different items - flour, spices, oils - to cook and bake with. I pay attention to ingredients and sourcing. I don't count on a legacy brand my mom used to be as good today. I want to know who owns or produces the products. 

In the past couple of months, I have put several things on my no-buy list:

• Almost all bacon and pork prodcuts. I will only buy from a local butcher that doesn't deliver so I have just been forgoing bacon and other pork products.
• Seasonings from Mama's standbys - Accent, Old Bay, Mrs. Dash and anything McCormick. McCormick owns most of the seasoning market! I have found others I will use.
• Watkins Vanilla. This was Mom's go-to. I have found a couple of other brands instead.
• Baking powder from Clabber Girl and Calumet. Mama would be crying at this point. Yes, I have found others.
• Coffee from Nescafe and Lavazza for two.
• Cornstarch - yes, cornstarch! My Clabber Girl is gone I have found others. Not many, but...
• Hunt's and most of the other common canned tomato products.
• Butter - even one that I would pay more for because of the brand...
• The Pompeiian olive oils I always used. Gone! I have found one I feel good about, thankfully.
• Hellman's and Kraft Mayos. I don't eat may often so I can make my own.
• Any salmon that just says "wild caught" without being more specific about the variety because of scams... Look into it.
• I stopped buying any butter that sounds simple but uses the generic "natural flavors" in the ingredients list. I need to know where those come from. Why? "should I trust the "natural flavors" in butter"

So many loopholes... why?

It's not just what I eat and drink - that's most important since I ingest it - but there are problems with almost every consumer product. In the past several months, I have changed lotions and shampoo and hair and skin oils. The awful thing is, since the FDA is not strict enough about ingredients and additives etc., I have to make sure to be. 

For those of you who feel the same way, there are a lot of resources. Search out the internet for guides to lists of things to avoid. Start reading labels and paying attention. Look for video channels and sites that help consumers. EWG is an example. I have a page with other resources.

Peace

--Free