Food Safety

Nobody’s claiming that hot dogs are a superfood, but many people assume that eating one (or a few) now and then isn’t a big deal. After all, they’re a beloved part of summer cookouts and baseball games — how bad could they be? Brace yourself — once you see what’s inside a hot dog and how it can impact your health, you might think twice before taking your next bite.

Raw milk sparks heated debates — celebrated by some for its purported health benefits while condemned by others for its supposed risks. Does raw milk offer superior nutrition compared to pasteurized milk? Are there valuable probiotics in raw milk? Can lactose-intolerant people drink raw milk without symptoms? How dangerous are pathogens found in raw milk, and how common? This article dives deep into the controversies, separating fact from fiction so you can make an informed choice.

Chicken eggs are controversial. Some people call them a nutrient-rich superfood, while others say they can harm your health. Ovo-vegetarians consume them, but their vegan friends do not. Eggs aren’t flesh, and laying hens aren’t killed for their eggs, but they may still contribute to animal deaths and suffering. So, what’s the truth about eggs? Are eggs healthy, ethical, or sustainable? Can they be? And if you eat them, what are the best options?

Many foods sold in the United States are banned or fiercely regulated in other countries due to potentially harmful additives, growth promoters, genetically engineered ingredients, herbicides, or dangerous ingredients. Find out what you need to know about these foods and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Discover the surprising vegetable that outranked kale, spinach, and sweet potatoes to claim the top spot as the world’s healthiest veggie. Find out the top health benefits of watercress, potential downsides, and environmental considerations. Plus, get tips on finding, storing, and using watercress in recipes.

When it comes to growing your own food, it’s hard to find anything easier, quicker, or more nutritious than sprouts. If you’re thinking about how to optimize your immune system, balance your blood sugar levels, improve your digestion, support your heart and liver health and function, or enhance your family’s food security, then sprouts could be just the thing you’re looking for. Here’s what you need to know about the different kinds of sprouts, how to put them to use for more nutrition in your home, and how to avoid bacterial contamination.

Every year, unsafe food causes 600 million cases of foodborne illness and 420,000 deaths. Ensuring food safety at home is crucial for maintaining health. Discover the safest temperatures for storing food, what kitchenware contains forever chemicals that can mess with your hormones, and how seriously you should take expiration dates. Let’s explore how to protect your health and make informed choices for a safer kitchen.

Antibiotics are powerful drugs. And medical professionals often prescribe them. But the truth is, factory farms use the majority of antibiotics. And the overuse of antibiotics is causing antibiotic resistance — one of the most serious public health issues facing our world today. Learn more about the dark side of antibiotic use — and what this has to do with food recalls. And most importantly, learn what you can do about it.

Acrylamide sure doesn’t sound like something edible. But nevertheless, the compound is in many of the most popular foods, including baked goods, fried and roasted potatoes, and even coffee. Some evidence suggests that acrylamide can trigger cancer growth — at least in rodents. But is there a cancer risk to humans? And should we try to completely eliminate acrylamide from our diets, or are there ways to cut back on exposure that reduce any potential health effects?

There’s a new environmental trend in the food industry, with a funny name: upcycling. Basically, it means taking ingredients that would otherwise have been thrown out, and turning them into or using them in new food products. But are upcycled foods safe? Are they healthy? Can you actually make good food out of those scraps and byproducts? And can it really help save the planet?

Food allergies are becoming more and more common in both adults and children. We don’t fully understand what causes a person to develop an allergy to an otherwise harmless food, but we do know enough to prevent some allergies from arising. And if you or someone you know already suffers from a food allergy, there are things you can do to stay safe while enjoyin your food — and your life.

Many processed foods and even cosmetics and personal care products are rife with synthetic food dyes. Made from petroleum products, these dyes wreak havoc on our health and well-being. But thanks to the natural rainbow of foods available in our world, safe, homemade alternative food dyes are possible. Find out how to make some of your own!