Petroleum is widely renowned as a resource that powers
cars, planes and other vehicles. Other applications include lubricating
machinery and creating the petro-chemicals that are used to manufacture
clothes, computers, cleaning products and more. But did you know that
the naturally occurring liquid is also found in a myriad of consumables?
In the food industry it’s known as mineral oil. Unlike
its counterparts such as vegetable and olive oil, petroleum doesn’t go
rancid. Why? Primarily because it’s not a food.
So where could petroleum be lurking in your pantry? Read on as we
uncover some of the most common places the controversial ingredient
hides:
- Packaged baked goods often contain petroleum as a way of keeping
them ‘fresh’ and mould free. While regular flour, water, egg, milk and
sugar combinations go bad relatively quickly, mineral oil keeps them at
their prime for weeks.
- Some chocolates are made with petroleum by-products. You’ll see this labelled as food-grade paraffin wax.
- Any product that contains Olestra is also a cause for concern. It’s
an indigestible plastic with similar properties to mineral oil.
- TBHQ aka “tert-Butylhydroquinone”
is a major cause for concern as it’s found in a myriad of products.
From frozen chicken nuggets and pizzas to rice crackers and cookies,
supermarkets are brimming with TBHQ.
- Petroleum derived products are commonly used in a kaleidoscope of
food colourings. These are added to everything from corn chips to fresh
apples.
- They may not necessarily be classified as ‘edibles’ but painkillers
and vitamins are often packed full of petrochemicals. They contain
acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in a multitude of over the
counter painkillers such as aspirin.
- Food additives can also be packed full of petroleum. Canned
products are a particular concern as oil is used to extend their shelf
lives.
While food manufacturers maintain that petroleum derived ingredients
are perfectly safe, some health scientists insist that they’ve hugely
dangerous. They’ve found links to cancer, ADHD in children and a
plethora of other health problems.
The oil industry is notoriously toxic, with companies accused of releasing all kinds of contaminants into the environment.
‘Unconsidered Mercury Emissions from the Oil and Gas Industry’
looks at the presence of mercury, and the affect it has on the natural
environment. While natural sources of atmospheric mercury such as
volcanoes, geologic deposits and volatilisation from the ocean are
relatively harmless, human activities such as coal burning, mining,
smelting, iron production, medical waste incineration and other
activities are another story.
Image via Flickr Creative Commons. Photo credits: Kevin
April 13, 2007
Did You Know We Eat Petroleum?
By Mark Sisson
Did you know that the federal government allows oil to be added to foods? Not the vegetable kind of oil, either – I’m talking about
that
oil. The oil that runs your car, lubricates machinery, and gets made
into clothes and computers and cars and containers. The same oil that is
made into makeup and lotion and shampoo and occasionally pet food.
Environmental concerns aside, why is anybody adding oil to foods?
It’s known by its common name, mineral oil. Evidently, adding mineral
oil is a very common practice in processed and prepared foods because –
drum roll – mineral oil doesn’t go rancid like vegetable oil.
The reason mineral oil doesn’t go rancid is because it’s not a food.
The disinformation rumor mill frequently buzzes with conspiracy theories about petroleum products causing cancer, behavior disorders, and all sorts of public health concerns.
The debate centers on mineral oil used in skincare products and
cosmetics. I’m neither a petroleum researcher nor a conspiracy theorist,
but I don’t exactly warm to the thought of petroleum being
in
my food, either. I have no opinion either way about the health of using
petroleum-based personal care products. But food? That ain’t right.
If you’re also not a fan of consuming the stuff that comes from a
substance used to make bottles, mattresses and other household items
that won’t decompose until you-know-where freezes over, then you’ll want
to consider avoiding these items – or at least check the ingredients
panel:
1. Candy
2. Packaged baked goods
3. Mints and breath sprays
4. Laxatives
5. Many snack foods such as chips and crackers
6. Any product with Olestra, which is an indigestible plastic similar to regular old mineral oil. (Remember anal leakage? This toxic ingredient didn’t go anywhere – the FDA simply let food makers drop the warning label. Nice.)
If you’re aware of further oil-in-food research or happen to have a handy resource available, please send it my way.
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