Saturday August 2nd 2008
Healthier potato chips?!?!
This morning, I checked out CNN.com as I often do when I want to have a laugh as to what qualifies as “news” down in the United States. Their form of news usually borders upon sensationalism, which is most evident when watching CNN on TV; they always have to be reporting about something, and most of their stories are given the “Hollywood” treatment. Still, CNN is leaps and bounds better than Fox News… but really… ANYTHING is better than Fox News.
Anyway, I stumbled upon this article. While I can’t give CNN the credit for writing it, as they’re just regurgitating stories from the Associated Press, I can give CNN credit for making it one of their headlines. Talk about appealing to the average couch potato:
Snack lovers, rejoice: Munching on potato chips just got a little healthier.
Four food manufacturers agreed to reduce levels of a cancer-causing chemical in their potato chips and french fries under a settlement announced Friday by the state attorney general’s office.
California sued H.J. Heinz Co., Frito-Lay, Kettle Foods Inc., and Lance Inc. in 2005, alleging they violated a state requirement that companies post warning labels on products with carcinogens.
The companies avoided trial by agreeing to pay a combined $3 million in fines and reduce the levels of acrylamide in their products over three years, officials said.
“Other companies should follow this lead,” Attorney General Jerry Brown said, calling the settlement “a victory for public health.”
I love the quote from Attorney General Jerry Brown regarding the settlement. You know what would be an even greater victory for public health? NOT EATING POTATO CHIPS AND OTHER FRIED FOODS.
I will admit, I do have potato chips once in a blue moon, but the aftertaste is usually what reminds me why I don’t eat them more often… other than the fact that I feel like crap afterwards. My tastebuds may initially say “Yay! Potato chips!”, but it is my gut and the rest of my body that later say “Why the HELL did you put us through that torture!?”.
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Leave to California to create a hype without fact! I find it interesting that the FDA hasnt indicated that acrylimyte in foods is a health risk. BTW - every time you fry anything at home, your producing this in your food also. Maybe the State should tax every individual who fries food in thier own home.
The government needs to quit listening to the special interest groups who make millions of dollars feeding off of our own fears - most of the time without any fact - just hype!
Be an educated consumer