This quote from the lecture stood out to me it made me become more interested to find out why many countries do not accept US food imports and also which foods. During my research I found a few foods and the reasons why certain countries like Russia and other European union countries, do no accept them from The US.
I was not aware that certain chemicals that are placed in the foods we eat here in America. For example farm raised salmon are fed synthetic astaxanthin made from petrochemicals, which has not been approved for human consumption and Pigs, Cattles and Turkey are injected with a beta agonist drug Ractopaine.
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid. It is a blood red pigment that is naturally found in rainwater microalgae and yeast fungus called Xanthophyllomyces. freshwater species that consume microalgae reflect the red-orange pigment in their appearance. examples of these species are lobster, red trout, shrimp and salmon. Farm raised salmon does not contain this chemical naturally and so the fish is fed artificially to have the pigment reflected in its appearance. this synthetic Astaxanthin can cause side effects to humans such as crystal deposits on retina and lead to eye injury, some cancers and neurological changes.
Ractopaine is a drug used to treat asthma in humans. it was discovered that this drug can make a mouse muscular and is now being injected in meat we consume such as turkey, pork and beef. the reason for this is because it make the meet less fatty and more meatier. these chemical has serious side effects in humans when consumed in this manner. it is known to cause serious cardiovascular problems which is a leading cause of death in the American population.
after reading and researching more on this topic, I will be more conscious of what I eat and as a result I will support local farmers and the farmers market in my community
.
No comments:
Post a Comment