archive for May 27th, 2007

Digest: Deadly sodas, China defends catfish, HFCS + fat = bad news

by Ethicurean @ Sunday, May 27th, 2007.

Big gulp, indeed: Research from a British university suggests sodium benzoate, a common preservative found in soft drinks, has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA. The problem can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. (The Independent) Although Coke and others recently reformulated their drinks to avoid the combination of sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid can turn into the carcinogen benzene, this indicates it might be scary all by itself.

Protection vs. protectionism: China went on the offensive in response to rising concern about the safety of its food and drug exports, asking the U.S. to clarify its regulations on the use of antibiotics that turned up in Chinese catfish in three southern states. The Chinese regulator said the drugs are allowed in China, the EU and Japan - and said the FDA allows their use if below concentration levels of five parts per billion. (The Wichita Eagle/AP))

“Supersize” diet is deadly: A high-fat and sugar-sweetened water diet compounded by a sedentary lifestyle will have severe repercussions for your liver and other vital organs, if results from a Saint Louis University research on mice can be extrapolated. )SLU press release)

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