PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS

Group 7Almajar, Biaco, Cruz, Gomez, Legaspi,

Moleño, Montelibano, Resurrection, Siazon, Tolosa, TJ Uy, Yu

PROCESSED FOODSRaw ingredients transformed from their

natural state for safety reasons, storage and convenience. Basically anything canned, packed, frozen, refrigerated, dehydrated and processed.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? To alter these food ingredients for

manufacturing, additives are added to improve or intensify flavor, prolong shelf-life, enhance texture. Nitrates and sulfites (e.g. tocino) Sodium Food preservatives Artificial food extenders, colors and flavorings

Food processing alters the natural state of the food, losing vitamins and nutrients in the process Processed foods therefore could be considered

as “empty calories

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? Traditional food packaging techniques

are being highly criticizedCanned goods could be contaminated by

lead/metal poisoning, or development of rust

Plastic food containers poise a threat to the environments

Hygiene and safety is an issue

WHAT ARE THE REPORTED NEGATIVE EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCES? Nitrates and nitrites are known to cause asthma,

nausea, vomiting and headaches Processed meats such as hotdogs and sausages

increase the risk of pancreatic cancer These food products contain trans fats that

enhance LDL cholesterol levels in the body which could lead to the development of heart diseases

With high salt and fat content, hypertension is apparent

Food contamination Food sweeteners could cause cancer and diabetes Debate about Monsodium Glutamate (MSG) (e.g.

Oishi Potato Chips)

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST BE D0NE?

Food fortification PROBLEM: Vitamins denature at high temperature (UHT) needed to

package and can processed goods EXAMPLE: For dried fish, instead of using normal salt, use iodized salt Always choose the “fortified” option

Stricter government (BFAD) policies on food processing and packaging Limits should be set on the use of preservatives All manufacturers should be required to include nutritional labels on

the back of their products This should be made mandatory

Sellers should be required to send back products lacking nutritional labels

Alternative packaging Bottling up process goods instead of canning them Tin-lined steel (iron) cans vs. Aluminum cans

Aluminum Cans can handle acidic processed foods than tin cans, although more costly because of the recycling process they undergo before using them up again

Although tin is corrosion resistant, acid food (i.e. vegetables and fruit) can cause corrosion of tin layer

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST BE DONE?

Promote vacuum sealing/packing of processed food Best way to process meat and fish: vacuum sealing

Fund research on alternatives to monosodium glutamate THE POINT: Food processing ruins the taste, thus, MSG is

added considerably to compensate for the flavor loss Stricter advertisement guidelines

Nutritional facts of products as well as the significance of those should be made available and accessible (i.e. in a company’s website, flyers etc.) – RIGHT OF THE CONSUMER TO KNOW

False information should be scrapped out of any product advertisement (i.e. claiming live microorganisms in yogurt that has passed through UHT etc.)

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST BE DONE?1. As a general rule, if you don’t recognize or

cant pronounce the ingredients on the label, don’t buy it or eat it. Opt instead for the real thing

Push for organic lifestyle in the Western world2. Don’t eat partially hydrogenated or

hydrogenated trans fats3. Don’t eat products containing sugar

substitutes such as saccharine and aspartame.

4. Avoid products with long shelf-life5. Avoid foods that have been genetically

modified or engineered

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS! 1. Processed foods typically contain the

following except:A. Food preservativesB. Nitrates and sulfitesC. High sodium and trans fatsD. Natural vitamins and minerals

2. The following types of food can corrode tin-lined steel cans EXCEPT

A. Sardines in tomato sauceB. Corned beefC. Fruit cocktailsD. Green peas