GMOs Aren't the Only Thing to Worry About: Here Are More Gross Things We Eat and Drink Every Day

by Lexi Petronis

Romulo A Yanes
Romulo A Yanes


More evidence for the file marked "Why It's Always Good to Think About What You're Eating"! There are all kinds of strange things we eat and drink every day without really knowing it. Take a look:

Dye: Even though food labels may list dyes in their lists of ingredients--Yellow 6, Blue 1, Red 40--there hasn't been a lot of information as to how much of those dyes make up the food. But a new study by Purdue University has revealed that certain cereals, candies, baked goods, drinks, boxed macaroni, and more can often contain startling amounts of the dyes--Kraft. Research has suggested that ingesting 35 to 100 milligrams or more of these dyes may actually trigger behavior problems in kids (a serving of Skittles, for example, contains 33.3 mg of the artificial dyes).


Teensy-tiny shrimp: Yes. Shrimp. Copepods are super-small crustaceans--which have been found to live in New York City tap water.

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Bug parts and bug eggs: The FDA allows about 8 insect parts per chocolate bar. Per eight ounces, golden raisins are allowed an average of 10 or more whole insects and 35 fruit fly eggs. For some people, the presence of these bug bits can mean triggered allergies or asthma.


Cigarette butts: The FDA also allows that food products may contain a certain amount of "foreign matter"--which can include yummy (urp) things such as cigarette butts.

Mouse fur and rodent poop: A sample of imported spices found that 12 percent contained rodent hair sans root, which means it may be there due to, you know. Feces.

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Sand: Fresh veggies and fruits are bound to have a little soil on them--that's just one of the reasons to give 'em a nice wash before eating--but you just might find some grit in other foods, too...such as peanut butter, which can contain up to 25 mg per 100 grams of the sticky stuff.

So, yes--sounds pretty squicky, right? But the FDA says that it's better for your health to accept some natural matter found in food in lieu of using higher levels of pesticides and chemicals to get rid of them. Dyes, on the other hand...

It's fascinating--albeit in a pretty gross way--to consider this kind of thing! What do you think?

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