Fast food and candy are very popular, but what if I told you they can be very dangerous for your health? And I don’t just mean that they can cause obesity and are high in sugar.
Recently, a study showed that 28 candies were found to contain a poisonous chemical called arsenic in them. Studies show that candy like Kit-Kats, Snickers, Swedish Fish, etc., have this chemical in them. These chemicals can increase risks of cancers such as lung, skin, kidney and bladder.
For example, a study found that Nerds Gummy Clusters contain 500 parts per billion of arsenic. This means that anything over 24 pieces (12 grams) of this candy exceeds the yearly allowable limit for a child. For an adult, 60 pieces (30 grams) of it exceeds the limit.
The Food and Drug Administration responded to this matter in an official article (www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/arsenic-food). “Arsenic levels are higher in certain soils and rocks and where arsenic-containing pesticides were once used on food crops or from the current use of those pesticides on non-food crops, and pollution from mining, fracking and coal-fired power plants,” the article states. The article also stated that, by law, food manufacturers have a responsibility to greatly minimize or avoid chemical hazards when needed.
The National Confectioners Association responded to the study saying that the study’s methodology was flawed: tinyurl.com/4hkbatkk
I argue that an association based around candy would want to protect their candies, so this response could very likely be biased.
Now, I will get to the matter of fast food. According to an article created by the organization, “Food Babe” (tinyurl.com/44amwtra), when the ingredient list for In-N-Out’s food came out, the food was revealed to have strange ingredients. For example, the fries were shown to contain sunflower oil, or “dimethylpolysiloxane” which is also an ingredient for Silly Putty.
Another example is that In-N-Out claimed to use “real ice cream” for their shakes. This “real ice cream” was revealed to include emulsifiers that were said to “wreak havoc” on your gut health, such as carrageenan and cellulose gum. Believe it or not, these shakes are technically no different from McDonald’s shakes. Within the past week, In-N-Out made announcements to change three ingredient changes. They announced that they would be removing the sesame flour, swapping high-fructose corn syrup for real sugar in their ketchup, and replacing iodized salt with sea salt.
With Halloween coming up, think of how much arsenic can be in your candy bag. As you can see from all of these studies and information, it is clear that something needs to be done to stop these candies and fast food and to save our health. Please spread this information to your loved ones and friends to help them stay healthy.
My name is Ophelia Finicle. I am 12 years old and go to Arroyo Seco Junior High School. I am very passionate about this matter because I care a lot about everybody’s health and staying safe. I always want to speak up about these matters and spread awareness.
Ophelia Finicle
Saugus
