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July 14, 2025 20 mins

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Your grocery store is harboring a dark secret. Those familiar snacks and pantry staples - the ones with government-approved labels - might contain chemicals so dangerous they're banned across Europe and Canada. Yet here in America, they lurk in plain sight, hidden behind cryptic names and industry loopholes.

The culprit? A regulatory failure called the "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) provision that allows food manufacturers to determine ingredient safety without FDA oversight. Through this gateway, an estimated 1,000+ potentially harmful substances have quietly infiltrated our food supply. The consequences touch everything from your child's behavior to your long-term cancer risk.

This episode exposes the "Dirty Dozen" ingredients threatening your family's health: potassium bromate in your bread that's linked to cancer, artificial colors triggering behavioral problems, hormone-disrupting preservatives, and gut-inflaming additives masquerading as "natural flavors." I decode confusing label terminology and reveal how these toxins hide in plain sight - often under misleading names like "dough conditioner" or "emulsifier." You'll learn exactly what to look for and how these chemicals affect developing bodies and vulnerable systems.

Download our comprehensive guide to harmful ingredients and take it shopping. Knowledge is protection in a food system that prioritizes profit over health. Your pantry might never look the same again - and that could save your life. Share this episode with someone who needs this information, and together we'll create a healthier food future for everyone.

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DISCLAIMER: The information is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult your physician or healthcare professional before pursuing any health-related procedure or activity.

Hi friends, welcome to the new normal, Big Life Podcast! We bring you natural news and stories about nature that we hope will inspire you to get outside and adventure, along with a step-by-step plan to help you practice what you’ve learned and create your own new normal and live the biggest life you can dream. I’m your host, Antoinette Lee, the Wellness Warrior.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
New Normal Big Lie the ingredients, to avoid how
they might show up on a productlabel and what they could do to
your body or your child's body.
Let's dive in.
Hi friends, welcome to the NewNormal Big Life podcast.
We bring you natural news andstories about nature that we
hope will inspire you to getoutside and adventure, along
with a step-by-step plan to helpyou practice what you learn and

(00:40):
create your own new normal andlive the biggest life you can
dream.
I'm your host, antoinette Lee,the wellness warrior.
What's really in your food?
You might be shocked.
Picture this You're in agrocery store grabbing your
go-to cereal or soda, thinkingit's all good because it's
approved in air quotes.
But here's the twist Someingredients in your favorite

(01:06):
snack could secretly harm you oryour kids.
In the US, food makers slip inchemicals banned in Europe and
Canada and they don't alwayslist them clearly.
These dirty dozen food villainscould mess with your health.
Spotting them takes more than aquick glance at the ingredients
list.
Let's uncover the truth andlearn how to fight back.

(01:26):
So why do food ingredientsmatter?
Well, the US plays by differentrules than Europe and Canada.
Over there, stuff likepotassium bromate tied to cancer
and red dye number three, apossible kid hyperactivity
trigger, are off limits.
Number three, a possible kidhyperactivity trigger, are off

(01:48):
limits.
Although red dye number threeis now banned in America, you
can still find this ingredienton store shelves because there's
a planned phase out of red dyenumber three and eight
additional synthetic dyes by2026.
In America these harmfulingredients are in your bread
and candy.
The FDA has a loophole calledGRAS G-R-A-S Generally

(02:10):
Recognized as Safe lettingcompanies decide what's okay
without tough checks.
It's up to us consumers tooutsmart the system, but there's
hope on the horizon.
The Generally Recognized asSafe recognized as safe or grass
loophole refers to a provisionin US food safety regulations

(02:30):
that allows companies toindependently determine whether
a food ingredient or a new foodingredient is safe without
requiring mandatory review orapproval from the Food and Drug
Administration or the FDA.
To understand this, let's breakit down.
Here's some background on GRAS.
The generally recognized assafe designation was established

(02:55):
under the 1958 Food AdditivesAmendment to the Federal Food,
drug and Cosmetic Act.
It exhibits substances from therigorous FDA pre-market
approval process for foodadditives if they're generally
recognized among qualifiedexperts as having been
adequately shown to be safeunder the conditions of its

(03:18):
intended use.
Originally this applied tocommon ingredients like salt,
sugar or vinegar, substanceswith a long history of safe use.
The FDA maintained a formalgrass affirmation process until
1997, where companies couldvoluntarily submit safety data
for FDA review.
The agency shifted to avoluntary grass notification

(03:48):
system allowing companies tonotify the FDA of their grass
determinations, which the FDAcould then review and respond to
with a quote.
No objection, letter or not.
But here's the loophole.
The loophole emerges becausethis notification process isn't
mandatory.
Companies can conduct their ownsafety assessments, often

(04:11):
relying on internal or paidhired experts who are completely
objective.
I'm sure these hired orinternal experts declare an
ingredient grass and introduceit into the food supply without
it ever informing the FDA.
This self-affirmed grass pathwaymeans no mandatory transparency

(04:32):
.
The FDA and the public may noteven know a new ingredient is
added to food products.
There's limited oversight.
The FDA only reviews grassdeterminations if companies
voluntarily submit them, andeven then it doesn't approve
them.
It simply decides whether toobject.
There's potential conflicts ofinterest.

(04:55):
Safety assessments might beconducted by experts paid by the
company or who are alreadyemployees of the company,
raising questions aboutimpartiality.
So what's the scale andconcerns with the grass loophole
?
Well, estimates suggestthousands of ingredients have
entered the US food supplythrough this self-affirmed grass

(05:19):
route.
A 2017 study by the NaturalResources Defense Council, the
NRDC, estimated that around1,000 substances were secretly
added without FDA knowledge.
Though the exact number isuncertain, some companies aren't
required to disclose them.
Critics include new Health andHuman Services.

(05:42):
Hhs Secretary RFK Jr arguedthis lack of oversight allows
potentially unsafe chemicals,sometimes with minimal or no
publicly available safety data,into foods, contributing to the
health issues like chronicdisease.
There's, finally, a ray of hopefor consumers.

(06:02):
Kennedy directed the FDA inMarch 2025 to explore rulemaking
to eliminate the self-affirmedgrass process, which allows food
companies to introduceingredients without FDA
oversight.
The sloop hope has beencriticized for permitting
potentially unsafe chemicalsinto the food supply, with

(06:23):
nearly 99% of new food chemicalssince 2000 approved by the
industry rather than the FDA,while no specific ingredients
have been banned yet.
Through this initiative, itaims to increase transparency
and safety by requiring the FDAto review any new ingredient.
His push to eliminate theself-affirmed grass pathway aims

(06:48):
to require mandatory FDAnotification and review,
ensuring all ingredients, allnew ingredients, are vetted
before reaching the market.
In short, the grass loof poleis a regulatory gap that lets
companies bypass federalscrutiny, and it's now a focal
point in efforts to reform theUS food safety system, but many

(07:10):
Americans no longer trust theFDA or USDA to have their best
interests at heart rather thanthe interests of the commercial
food industry, big Pharma andBig Ag, who are often owned by
the same parent companies andwork together on new products
and the reengineering ofexisting products.
In the meantime, there is stilla conservative estimate of

(07:33):
1,000 potentially harmfulsubstance in American foods.
We'll take a short break andthen, when we come back, you'll
learn how to read the foodpackage labels like a pro.
Learn how to read the foodpackage labels like a pro.
Before we cover the next topicin this episode, I want to
introduce you to the adventuresports lifestyle with what I
like to call a micro story aboutan adventure that I've had.

(07:54):
The adventure sports lifestyleand my deep connection to nature
is essential to my good health.
So here's the story.
Sitting in my childhood bedroomin Queens, new York, I wondered
what seeing a bear in itsnatural habitat would be like as
an adult.
While hiking to the lowersaddle of the Grand Tetons in
Jackson Hole, wyoming, Icasually encountered adult

(08:17):
grizzly bears and their cubs atnearly every switchback.
I did that.
I hope this inspires you to getoutside and adventure alone
with friends or the people youlove most.
Now back to the show wherewe're discussing how to read
food labels like a pro.
Reading labels like a pro takeseffort, but every aspect of

(08:37):
your life and the lives of thepeople you love will change for
the better when you remove theseharmful substances out of their
bodies.
Don't just trust the ingredientslist on a package.
It's not the full story.
Scan the front and sides of thepackage for sneaky clues, like
natural flavors might hide MSG,which can spark headaches.

(09:00):
Color added could meanartificial dyes that are messing
with your kid's ability tofocus.
The CDC advises that readinglabels helps you make healthier
choices, but you've got to be adetective.
Look everywhere on the package.
Here's the list of 12 nastyingredients to avoid how they

(09:21):
might show up and what theycould do to your body or your
child's body.
You can get instant access tothe Dirty Dozen ingredients list
using the link in the showdescription where you can
download it, or you can get iton our website, nnblblog, where
you can sign up for ournewsletter.
Download the list, save it toyour phone and breeze through

(09:43):
shopping like a pro.
Number one on our Dirty Dozeningredients to avoid is
potassium bromate.
On the package it might look asbromated flour or hidden in
enriched flour.
Bromated flour and enrichedflour is potassium bromate.
Here are the harmful effects ofpotassium bromate.

(10:05):
This chemical can form tumorsin your kidneys or thyroid,
raising cancer risk.
It's so dangerous that Europebanned it, but it's still in US
breads.
Kids might face growth issuesfrom long-term exposure.
Banned in Europe it strengthensRed dye number three.

(10:25):
On package you might seeearththrosine or color-added
earththrosine.
The harmful effects of red dye.
Number three are linked tothyroid cancer in animal studies
.
It might also make kidshyperactive or unfocused.
Canada said no, but it's in UScandies and desserts.
Dye in your food and maybe yourhealth.

(10:48):
Red A bright color with a darkside.
Bha or BHT.
Butylated hydroxy anisole orbutylated hydroxy toluene.
On package preservatives orinitials BHA or BHT.
The harmful effects of BHA orBHT.

(11:10):
These can mess with yourhormones, confuse your body's
signals and possibly damage yourliver.
Some studies call them possiblecarcinogens or cancer causes
causers.
They're in snacks to keep themfresh, but they might keep you
sick.
Europe limits them.
We don't in America.

(11:32):
Propylparaben on package itmight just say preservative or
not be listed at all.
Propylparaben might not belisted on anywhere on the
package.
The harmful effects this candisrupt your reproductive system
, lowering sperm count oraffecting pregnancies.
It mimics estrogen, throwinghormones out of whack.

(11:55):
It's banned in the EuropeanUnion.
It's in US baked goods and more.
It keeps foods fresh, but notyour body.
Next is titanium dioxide.
On the package it might saywhitener or color.
The harmful effects may damageyour DNA, leading to cell chaos

(12:17):
or inflammation, and we knowinflammation is linked to heart
disease, diabetes, autoimmunedisease and several forms of
cancer.
You can learn more aboutchronic inflammation in our
episode on lymphedema and in ourepisode on glutathione.
Titanium oxide is in thecandies and gum, making them

(12:38):
bright white while possiblydarkening your health.
The European Union banned it in2022.
The US hasn't caught up yet.

(13:01):
The next on our list isazodicarbonamide.
On package it says doughconditioner.
The harmful effects are that itbreaks down into chemicals that
might trigger asthma orallergies.
It's often used in yoga matstoo.
It's banned in Canada butsneaks into the US in buns and

(13:22):
rolls.
Breathing issues could hit kidshard.
Fluffy bread, wheezy lungs.
We'll continue with numberseven on the list after this
short break.
World events are constantlyteaching everyone some very
painful lessons.
Short break.
World events are constantlyteaching everyone some very
painful lessons.
Without warning, everything wetake for granted can suddenly

(13:42):
fail, and if you're not preparedin advance, you really don't
have a chance.
The fact is, the modern worldruns on a just-in-time supply
schedule.
Even the biggest grocery storescan carry only enough food for
a few days worth of normalshopping.
So when disaster strikes andchaos ensues at your local
stores, the odds are simplyagainst you.
If you don't have emergencyfood and gear stockpiled in

(14:06):
advance, you will probablysuffer.
My partner, ready Hour, is hereto help you ahead of time.
Ready Hour has a long historyof providing calorie-rich,
reliable and deliciousnourishment for life's
unexpected situations andcritical emergency gear too.
They're part of a family ofcompanies that have served
millions of people like you fordecades.

(14:27):
My family and I use Ready Hourproducts for camping,
mountaineering and disasterpreparedness for five years now.
They're not just reliable,they're also your affordable
option too.
Long-term survival foodsshouldn't break the bank.
That's why they have greatsales and payment options for
you.
It's your bridge to safety andsurvival when things just aren't

(14:49):
normal anymore.
So make your next decision yoursmartest decision Be ready for
tomorrow.
Today, trust Ready Hour, readyto shop, use my affiliate link
in the show description.
Brominated vegetable oil BVO Onpackage.
It's emulsifier or it's notlisted at all.

(15:10):
The harmful effects Builds upin your body, possibly causing
nerve problems or memory loss.
It's in sodas to mix flavors,but it's banned in Europe.
Kids developing brains areextra vulnerable.
Fizzy drinks foggy minds.
Next is Olestra On the packagefat substitute.

(15:30):
The harmful effects of Olestracauses stomach cramps, diarrhea
and blocks vitamin absorption.
It's banned in Canada.
It's in some US light chips andother foods.
I personally avoid anythingwith the word light on the
package.
Light often has harmfulchemicals, sugar substitutes

(15:51):
that cause migraines and growthhormones hidden in its
ingredients.
Consuming Elestra means yourkids might miss out on nutrients
they need to grow and that youneed to stay healthy and prevent
disease.
Fake fat, real pain.
Kiriginin On the package.
You might see thickenerKiriginin's harmful effects

(16:13):
sparks gut inflammation,possibly leading to ulcers or
colon issues.
Europe limits it, but it's inUS dairy and plant milks, like
some almond milk and soyproducts.
Kids and adults with sensitivestomachs could feel it most.
It has a smooth texture butit's rough on digestion.
Sodium nitrate on the packagecuring agent.

(16:36):
The harmful effects of sodiumnitrate is that it forms
cancer-causing compounds in yourstomach, raising risk for colon
or stomach cancer.
It's found in bacon and hotdogs.
Europe restricts it.
Kids eating processed meatscould face bigger dangers Cured
meat, uncured health.

(16:56):
Number 11 is artificial transfats.
On the package you might seepartially hydrogenated oil.
The harmful effects ofartificial trans fats is that it
clogs arteries, boosting heartdisease risk, linked to 7,000 US
deaths yearly, says the CDC.
It's in fried foods and bakedgoods.

(17:17):
Kids' hearts aren't built forthis junk, and neither is yours.
Crispy snacks crumbling hearts.
Number 12 on our food villainlist is MSG monosodium glutamate
.
On the package you might seeMSG monosodium glutamate.
You might see MSG monosodiumglutenate.

(17:42):
Flavor enhancer or get thisnatural flavors.
If I see natural flavors on anypackage, I avoid it like it's
the plague.
The harmful effects of MSG isthat it overstimulates brain
cells and for a traumatic braininjury survivor like myself, it
causes havoc in my body, causesextreme headaches, even
temporary vision loss because ofocular migraines.
It causes dizziness or evenlong-term nerve damage in anyone

(18:08):
, not just tbi survivors.
You can find msg in soups, alot of takeout foods and and it
hits kids' focus and mood hard.
It's tasty now but troubledlater.
So what's at stake when youconsume these harmful
ingredients that we've justlisted for you?
These food villains hide inultra-processed foods, chips,

(18:32):
sodas, even so-called healthysnacks.
The FDA's Dr Susan Main admitswe're reassessing chemicals, but
it's slow.
Meanwhile, your family's atrisk, kids and folks with an
underlying health condition areextra sensitive.
Dyes and preservatives that canspark behavior issues,

(18:52):
according to a 2021 Californiastudy.
The stakes Cancer, hormonechaos and more.
Here's your call to action Takecontrol now.
Check your pantry for thesedirty dozen culprits and toss
them out.
Share this with friends andfamily to keep them safe too.
Download this list and take itshopping with you.

(19:14):
If you're getting value fromthis content, leave us a review
wherever you get your podcast tomake it easier for others to
find us.
Until next time, friends, I'mAntoinette Lee, your wellness
warrior here at the New NormalBig Life podcast.
I hope one day to see you onthe river, in the back country
or in the horse barn living yourbest life.
Tag New Normal Big Life or NNBLblog on X, so we can celebrate

(19:35):
your good health and big life.
If you're a visual learner, youcan watch an informative and
entertaining version of thisvideo in the future on YouTube
on the new normal big lifechannel.
Share this episode with someonewho needs it, comment or post
it on our posts on X and drop usa message or email Nothing
personal or too specific whenyou have a health or adventure

(19:56):
sports topic you want us tocover and support others in this
community.
Since 2012, the health rangerstore has been answering your
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