Food Safety Rumors Revealed: MSG, Lard, Pickles, Do You Really Know Them?
MSG is toxic, lard causes fat, pickles cause cancer...... Do you believe these well-known food safety "common sense"?
Recently, the "China Food Safety Rumor Refutation List" released by the China Food Safety Forum can teach you a lesson. This list subverts many people's cognition and makes people call it "see you for a long time".
Who the hell is fooling us? Could it be that we have been wrong all along?
The MSG controversy: the long road from "poison" to "harmless".
When it comes to MSG, many people's first reaction is "harmful to health". But you know what? This view actually came from the West.
At the end of the 60s of the last century, Western countries suddenly began to hype up the harmful theory of monosodium glutamate, which made the mainland monosodium glutamate industry in trouble for a time.
At that time, everyone thought that eating MSG would cause dizziness, nausea, and even lead to "Chinese restaurant syndrome".
But is that really the case? Don't worry, listen to me slowly.
In 1973, the World Health Organization and the relevant departments of the mainland began a toxicological experiment that lasted for 26 years. That's right, it's 26 years!
The research for such a long time is to find out whether MSG is toxic or not. The end result?
Experiments have proved that reasonable consumption of monosodium glutamate is harmless to the human body. What a slap in the face of some people!
However, having said that, although MSG has been washed white, I still feel that I can't eat it boldly with confidence. After all, who knows if there are any potential risks associated with long-term consumption? And, aren't there a lot of natural flavorings that can replace MSG now? Why do you have to use such synthetic stuff?
Lard turnover: from "heart killer" to "king of nutrition"
Let's talk about lard. In the past few years, everyone regarded lard as a flood beast, thinking that eating it would cause heart disease and gain weight. But now it's good that the "China Food Safety Rumor List" actually says that lard is not the main cause of cardiovascular disease and obesity. What a surprise!
Experts say that lard is not actually high in saturated fatty acids, but contains a lot of monounsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health. Moreover, lard has a high smoke point and is not prone to the production of harmful substances. It sounds reasonable, but I'm a little skeptical.
After all, growing up, we've all been taught that vegetable oils are healthier. Now I suddenly say that lard is good, and I always feel a little unsure. Moreover, isn't lard more likely to make people fat? The more I think about it, the more confused I become.
Pickled vegetable overturn: from "carcinogenic culprit" to "millennium delicacy"
After talking about lard, let's talk about pickles. A few years ago, pickled vegetables were labeled as "carcinogenic food", which scared many people to not even touch them. But this time, the rumor refutation list rehabilitated pickles, saying that the nitrite content in long-term pickled vegetables is very low and will not cause cancer at all.
Let's just say that pickles have a history of more than 3,000 years! If it's really that easy to cause cancer, won't our ancestors be doomed for generations? Experts explain that nitrite levels peak in the first 2-3 days of curing, but become extremely low after long-term curing.
I'm still a little worried, though. After all, there are many pickles on the market now, and who knows if they are all pickled according to the traditional method? Moreover, different curing methods must have different effects on nitrite content, right? Experts don't seem to have made these questions clear.
Milk myth busted: from "essentials" to "varies from person to person"
When it comes to food safety rumors, we can't forget about milk. "A glass of milk a day, strong Chinese", this advertising slogan can be described as a household name. However, this rumor refutation list has given us a slap in the face, saying that this statement is actually misleading.
Experts say that milk is indeed a nutritious food, but it is not suitable for everyone. Some people may be lactose intolerant, which can cause gastrointestinal upset when consumed. Milk is not the only source of calcium, as foods such as soy products and dark green vegetables can also provide abundant calcium.
After hearing this, I suddenly felt a little dazed. Isn't the milk we drink from childhood to adulthood actually so magical? Are all the habits of so many years the result of being fooled by advertising?
Food safety: a battle between science and superstition
Looking back on the food safety rumors over the years, I have to say that we have really been "fooled" for too long. From MSG to lard, from pickles to milk, behind every rumor, we reflect our lack of food safety knowledge.
However, we cannot completely dismiss the concern about food safety over the years. After all, it is precisely because of everyone's doubts and concerns that more scientific research has been driven and we have a deeper understanding of food.
Still, I'm a little confused. Will these rumor-refuting messages become new "rumors"? After all, science is constantly evolving, and today's truth may be overturned tomorrow. Who are we to believe?
Perhaps, the most important thing is not to blindly believe or deny a certain statement, but to cultivate one's scientific literacy and learn to think independently. After all, in this era of information explosion, there is often only a thin line between rumors and truth. What do you think?