FDA Regulations On Food & Beverages By: Joshua Marshall & Asi Peko

Why This TopicWhy This Topic We picked this topic because we are concerned about the major health problems that have developed over the last 50 years. We conducted our research on the FDA and their regulations that allow for harmful chemicals to be served in our food and beverages.

Fast FactsFast Facts  Processed foods are highly addictive and make you crave them constantly. Excess consumption of these foods can lead to obesity and other health problems.  Sulphite is the main artificial preservative found in most processed foods.  Health problems: headaches, IBS, skin problems, asthma, and behavioral problems.  Found in: processed meats, dairy products, dried fruits, dried vegetables, French fries and chutneys.  Fresh foods are actually cheaper than processed foods.  Processed foods are obtained from laboratories and are not natural. The foods are genetically modified and may cause gastrointestinal disorders, infertility and can damage your internal organs.  There are now close to 5,000 additives allowed in our food. This number continues to grow year after year, too.

Demographics  Participants: 38  Age: 18 – 25  Mostly Females but some Males  Race Ethnicity: African American, Caucasian, and Asian.

Research QuestionsResearch Questions  1. Should the regulations on food and beverages be more strict?  2. Should any of these chemicals be banned?  3. What health problems can the chemicals cause?  4.How many chemicals are approved by the FDA?  5. How many lawsuits has the FDA had regarding chemicals in the products a year ?

Hypothesis We believe that the chemicals that the FDA allows in our country’s food and beverages are large contributors in the increasing health problems in America. If the FDA banned food and beverage companies from using most of the chemicals such as preservatives and sugar additives, the government would see a significant decrease in major health issues and an overall healthier population.

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Question 1Question 1  Gender  To see which gender was more aware with their nutrition.

Question 2Question 2  Where are you from? Home Location  With this question we are able to see if people from other parts of the U.S are more cautious and aware of the ingredients on food labels. This could tell us what areas in America consume more processed food and beverage products.  Poverty areas  highly populated cities Mean: Bordering States

Question 3Question 3  Do you believe that foods and beverages labeled as “Diet” or “Low Calorie” are healthier than regular?  This is important because we get to see how people perceive the words “Diet” and “Low Calorie.” People may not realize the chemicals that are added to make these products diet, sugar free, low calorie, etc. Yes: 7 No: 19 Other: 12 Total: 38

Question 4Question 4  Do you read the ingredients on your food labels?  This was relevant because we wanted to know if consumers were noticing the abundance of chemicals on labels. Yes: 23 Not really: 3 m: Yes Dieting: 12 Never: 0

Question 5Question 5  What do you think of this topic? Does it interest you?  With this question we get to see if people care about what they are consuming. Also are they knowledgeable about the chemicals, what these ingredients truly mean, and the regulations on products. M: Very interesting

Ingredients or Poisons?Ingredients or Poisons?  Titanium Dioxide: used in sunscreens & paints is found in …?  Sodium Bisulfite: a toilet bowl cleaning chemical is found in …?  Sodium Nitrates and Sodium Nitrites: found in processed meats ( bacon, lunch meat, and hot dogs)  Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): Prevents spoilage and food poisoning. Cancer causing preservative.

Get a load of this!!Get a load of this!!  concerns.html

Conclusion  After doing intense research we have concluded that the FDA should be more regulated when it comes to them regulating food and beverages. They allow certain toxins into food and beverages that should not be in there. If these toxins were removed it could improve the health of Americans and we could have a better health system here in America.

RecommendationsRecommendations  We propose to change the demographics by targeting a different, more specific group such as an older age group, communities in poverty or the wealthy. We would conduct a new array of research. Allowing us to help target certain communities and give us the opportunity to educate them about the effects and long term harms that are caused by the chemicals.  Put warning labels on food that caution buyers about the chemicals inside of the food or beverage products.  We implement an organization that oversees the FDA and watch their moves.  Have very harsh penalties to where other FDA members will not want to violate them. That would definitely improve the quality of the FDA decision making

References  Christ, S. (n.d.). 10 Shocking Facts About Processed Food. Retrieved April 28, 2015, from food.html  Facts On Processed Foods. (2014, January 1). Retrieved April 28, 2015, from  Lehner, P. (2014, April 25). Food Additives 'Generally Recognized As Safe" Could Be Anything But (Op-Ed). Retrieved April 28, 2015, from  Obama: Let's Take Food Regulation out of FDA | RAPS. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2015, from Lets-Take-Food-Regulation-out-of-FDA/ Lets-Take-Food-Regulation-out-of-FDA/  Industries. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2015, from  How often does FDA inspect food manufacturing facilities? (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2015, from

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