Buzz
I’m passionate about food-related lists, which is why we’ve created a dedicated section on our site for food and health compilations. Today, we’re exploring 15 facts about food that range from mildly unsettling to downright disgusting. Some of these facts are sourced from the book 1,001 Facts that Will Scare the S#*t Out of You, which I highly recommend. If you have any other disturbing food facts to share, feel free to drop them in the comments.
1 Facts 1 – 5
1. I adore wine – as many of my followers on here (or my facebook page) know. But this fact might make even me think twice! When machines harvest grapes for winemaking, they shake the vines to collect the fruit. Unfortunately, this process also captures insects, birds, and other debris. While cheaper winemakers often skip sorting, higher-end producers use sorting tables to remove up to 99% of MOG (material other than grapes). This means that at least 1% of your wine could include traces of dead animals. The author of this story even witnessed dead mice in the wine press.
2. When winemakers aim to achieve crystal-clear wine, they employ a technique known as fining. This involves adding specific agents like isinglass (derived from sturgeon bladders), gelatin (sourced from animal bones and hooves), clay, or even ox blood to the wine.
3. Research by the Environmental Working Group reveals that over 90% of peaches, apples, nectarines, and strawberries tested positive for pesticides, even after being washed or peeled.
4. Bluefin tuna, a favorite for sushi lovers, is known to contain high levels of mercury. Regular consumption of mercury can elevate the risk of heart disease, so you might want to reconsider your sushi choices.
5. In the US, approximately 70% of chickens bred for consumption are fed arsenic, an FDA-approved food additive used as an antibiotic. The arsenic often ends up in chicken waste, which is then repurposed as fertilizer for crops. If you’re skeptical, check this out. This shouldn’t come as a shock, given the FDA also approves substances like beaver anal gland extract, borax, and even feces.
2 Facts 6 – 10
6. That soft, fluffy white bread you love might not be as innocent as it seems. Many mass-produced breads include ammonium sulfate, a compound used in fertilizers, fire retardants, and even explosives, to help yeast rise more consistently. Subway, for instance, uses it widely in their bread, as detailed here on their official site. And if that’s not enough, Wendy’s Chili contains silicon dioxide, essentially sand. Maybe it’s time to go fully organic…
7. Think organic means small-scale farming? Think again. Only about 16% of organic products come from small producers—the rest are made by the same corporate giants like Kellogg’s and Kraft. Blind studies show organic foods don’t taste better and can contain as much animal waste as non-organic options. The best bet? Shop at local farmers' markets or grow your own.
8. In 2008, a police officer and his family were awarded $40,000 after suing a KFC/Taco Bell for serving food contaminated with an employee’s spit and urine. The incident, covered in the news, left their son vomiting for hours and hospitalized. Shockingly, the employee responsible kept his job initially but was later fired for unrelated reasons.
9. A staggering 25% of Americans eat McDonald’s daily, despite nutritionists advising a limit of once a month. When was your last visit? Mine was in March 2010, and I’ve felt healthier and lighter since. Fun fact: the image above is an actual McDonald’s ad from India promoting a new restaurant opening.
10. Low-fat labels rarely mean low-calorie. When fat is taken out of a product, it’s often replaced with less healthy ingredients to restore flavor. For example, Applebee’s “low-fat chicken quesadillas” pack 742 calories, compared to a Big Mac’s 540.
3 Facts 11-15
11. Milt refers to the seminal fluid of aquatic creatures that reproduce by releasing sperm onto fish eggs. In Russia, pickled fish sperm, known as Moloka, is a delicacy. Japan enjoys cod, pufferfish, and anglerfish sperm, while Sicily uses tuna sperm (lattume) as a pizza topping. The image above showcases shirako, a Japanese dish made from milt.
12. Would you add a teaspoon of powdered, charred cow bone to your coffee? Most would say no, but if you use refined white sugar, you likely are. Bone char has been used to bleach sugar since the method was patented in 1812.
13. Citrus Red 2, a carcinogenic dye, is banned in the US—except for use by orange growers. Legally, they can apply it to oranges to enhance their color and appeal. After learning this, I’ll be skipping Florida oranges from now on.
14. Bosingtang is a traditional Korean soup made from dog meat, specifically from Nureongi dogs, which are bred for consumption and not kept as pets. These dogs are raised on farms, much like livestock. Although officially banned by the Korean government to address international concerns, the dish remains widely available in many restaurants. A graphic example of butchered dog meat for sale in Seoul can be seen here.
15. rBGH, a synthetic bovine growth hormone created by Monsanto, is used in the US to increase milk production in cows. The US stands alone among developed nations in permitting the sale and consumption of milk from rBGH-treated cows. This hormone, linked to higher risks of breast cancer and hormonal imbalances in humans, remains a controversial topic.
