CARRAGEENAN
Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks.
It’s a “natural” ingredient that comes from red seaweed.
You’ll often find this ingredient in nut milks, meat products, and yogurt.
My beloved Trader Joe’s, sadly, has not listened to me and still has carrageenan in a number of their dairy products (cottage cheese, ice cream… etc)
Carrageenan is not as innocent as it’s made out to be.
While products boasting this ingredient parade around as “natural,” the evidence shows that Carrageenan may cause:
-INFLAMMATION is a gateway to a host of MANY diseases, including cancer
bloating
– IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
– GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE
– COLON CANCER
– FOOD ALLERGIES
The Food and Drug Administration still approves this ingredient, and you will still find it, even in organic foods.
In 2016, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) voted 10-3 to remove Carrageenan from its list of approved organic ingredients, but the USDA did not adhere to this recommendation.
Instead, the USDA allowed Carrageenan to remain in organic food, and still is to this day.
This is a general list of foods that may have Carrageenan in it (and often, vegan or vegetarian items including alternative milks)
Both organic and non-organic versions may have it!
Chocolate Milk
Cottage Cheese
Cream
Ice Cream
Almond Milk
DaIry Alternatives, such as vegan cheeses or nondairy desserts
Coconut Milk
Creamers
Hemp Milk
Rice Milk
Soy Milk
Deli Meats
Pet Foods (do you think our pets care if their food is more unctuous???)
And here is a link to a website that will give you more information about different products and BRANDS that have carrageenan.
When you’re doing your shopping, make sure you read labels to avoid this, and many other, potentially harmful additives!
Of course, you won’t find this in an apple…. just saying!
To Life - To Health 