#867 - Vani Hari - Exposing The Food Industry’s Dangerous Lies

Vani Hari and others have brought attention to the discrepancies between food standards in the United States and other countries, particularly focusing on how Kellogg's and other US food companies use more harmful or controversial ingredients in domestic products than their international counterparts.

Kellogg's uses more toxic and harmful ingredients in its US cereal products compared to its products sold in other countries

Kellogg's cereals sold in the US contain artificial food dyes and the preservative BHT, which are banned or restricted in other countries due to health concerns

Vani Hari points out that Kellogg's cereals sold in the United States include artificial food dyes linked to hyperactivity in children. These are so concerning in Europe that products containing such dyes require a warning label about potential adverse effects on activity and attention in children. Furthermore, artificial food dyes have been found to contain carcinogens, which are linked to cancer, autoimmune disorders, eczema, and asthma. In addition to dyes, Kellogg's uses the preservative BHT in the cereal bags in the US, which can serve as an endocrine disruptor. This preservative is not used in other countries.

Hari discussed visiting Kellogg's headquarters with 400,000 signatures to request the removal of artificial food dyes and BHT from their US products. She criticized the use of petroleum coal tar-based dyes, which are cheaper than natural juices used in other countries. Hari stressed that the FDA has relied on safety data provided by food companies, without third-party regulation, and has not reviewed artificial dyes like Red Number 40 since 1971.

Many US food companies use more harmful or controversial ingredients in their domestic products than their international counterparts

Vani Hari discusses the significant differences in food ingredient standards, such ...

The food industry employs aggressive tactics to defend their products and policies from regulation and public scrutiny, as described by Vani Hari.

The food industry funds front groups and "independent experts" to discredit and attack activists and critics who expose harmful ingredients

Vani Hari explains that the food industry has established reputable-sounding groups to defend the presence of chemicals in food and to execute character assassination on critics. These groups operate with backing from substantial corporate entities such as Big Pharma, Big Chem, and Big Food. Their primary function is to confuse the public into thinking that consuming chemicals in food is acceptable.

One example Hari notes is the American Council of Science and Health, which has accepted money from major corporations like Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola, Bayer, Syngenta, and McDonald’s. This council has been known to target critics, including Hari herself, who speaks up regarding harmful ingredients in food products.

The food industry employs tactics like character assassination, "fake news", and physical intimidation to silence opposition

Hari recounts her experiences of being targeted by these organizations and so-called independent experts who worked to discredit her advocacy against chemicals in food. They launched personal attacks, labeling her pseudo-scientific and calling into question her qualifications, in what amounts to character assassination.

Another incident involved a lobbyist known as Dr. Evil who campaigned against Hari and her stance on food industry practices. She speaks of derogatory articles that not only attacked her advocacy work but also resorted to comments on her appearance and meritless headlines such as "Food Bimbo."

Moreover, Hari has faced severe harassment, including death threats, rape threats, and incidents where her personal security was jeopardized, making security measures necessary at every public engagement.

The FDA often relies on industry-funded data ...

Activist Vani Hari has been at the forefront of a movement to expose and improve food industry practices. Recognizing the industry's exploitation and the obligation to provide safer products, Hari's campaigns have led to significant changes in how major food companies formulate their products in the US.

Vani Hari has targeted major food companies like Kellogg's, Subway, and McDonald's to demand they use safer ingredients in their US products

Vani Hari, for over a decade, has been calling on Kellogg's to provide safer versions of their cereals in the United States, equivalent to those offered in other countries. Despite Kellogg's 2015 announcement to remove artificial dyes by 2018, Hari reported that the company failed to follow through. Instead, Kellogg's launched new cereals targeting children without addressing the safety of their core products.

Hari's impact extends beyond Kellogg's; she held a march to their headquarters and launched successful petitions against Subway, demanding the removal of harmful chemicals such as azodicarbonamide from their bread—a campaign that inspired widespread reform in the industry.

Hari's activism has led to some companies, like Subway, removing controversial ingredients from their US offerings

Specifically, Subway responded to Hari's petition by agreeing to remove azodicarbonamide from their bread, a decision that rippled through the bread manufacturing industry across America.

Hari believes the food industry's exploitation of lax US regulations is a moral and ethical breach, and that companies have an obligation to provide safer products to American consumers

Hari is vocal about the moral and ethical responsibility companies have to offer safer products to American consumers, especially since they already do so in other countries to comply with stricter regulations. Her personal health transformation is used as a testament to the benefits of avoiding processed foods.

Hari has faced significant backlash, including personal attacks and threats, for her efforts to hold the food industry acco ...

Vani Hari provides advice to consumers on how to make healthier food choices amidst a market filled with processed options. She emphasizes the value of real food and the importance of understanding ingredient lists.

Hari advises consumers to focus on eating whole, minimally-processed foods and to carefully read ingredient lists

Hari promotes eating a diet rich in whole, minimally processed foods and cautions against packaged foods containing artificial ingredients, preservatives, seed oils, and high fructose corn syrup. She warns that packaged food with more than five ingredients could potentially be harmful and that many of these additives lack sufficient safety data. Consumers are encouraged to consume organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, pasture-raised eggs, grass-fed cheeses, yogurts, and meats.

Consumers should avoid processed foods containing artificial ingredients, preservatives, seed oils, and high fructose corn syrup

Hari advises reading labels to avoid unrecognizable or non-nutritious ingredients. She uses monodiglycerides, often found in processed foods, as an example of what to avoid. Even on-the-go or in social situations, consumers can choose whole foods over processed options, such as a banana, apple, or plain almonds. By controlling 80% of their food intake with healthy choices, consumers can provide themselves some flexibility in the other 20%.

Hari suggests preparing more meals at home using simple, recognizable ingredients as a way to bypass the food industry's tactics

Hari is a proponent of home cooking, recommending her cookbooks for fast, real food recipes that families can enjoy together. She suggests planning out meals and having five or six go-to recipes ready to prevent last-minute fast food choices. Consumers are encouraged to make their ...