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| Fillmore Photography/ Flickr Commons |
Well her tune came to my mind when I heard today's news. Unbelievably, PepsiCo, again, is in the news. This time for having brominated vegetable oil in Gatorade. Gatorade is a sports drink known for replacing electrolytes, water, and nutrients depleted during strenuous exercise. It can also be recommended by medical personnel for treatment of dehydration during an illness such as the stomach virus.
Somehow after today, I think Gatorade will not be readily consumed by anyone.
Brominated vegetable oil is said to be patented as a flame retardant. It is used to prevent the various oils in soft drinks from separating from one another.
Known side effects:
- It depletes the body iodine reserves and depresses thyroid function
- Influences the deterioration of one's mental health
- depression
- hallucination
- psychosis
- violent behavior
- seizures
- confusion
- stupor
- slurred speech
- fatigue
- Animals undergoing testing had heart and kidney damage
The original formula was said to have the following ingredients: sodium, sugar, potassium, phosphate and lemon juice. Naturally as the product was acquired by various companies, the original recipe was tinkered with in the hopes of making it better.
Some folks can never leave well enough alone.
I firmly believe that the problem with American society is that we unknowingly consume chemicals that do more harm than good. Our Food and Drug Administration is suppose to protect us, but it seems that they are overwhelmed by the deluge of untested products constantly pushed on the shelves by unheard of companies who want profits regardless of the repercussions.
Maybe the Obama Administration will beef up the Food and Drug Administration's budget, hire more inspectors, and increase fines and penalities against companies who willfully include known carcinogens in their products.
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