Size Matters

What happens when you break up something like titanium dioxide into teensy weeny nanoparticles?

Nobody knows for sure. But we do know that those miniaturized particles behave differently than their larger counterparts. We also know, thanks to a new report by Friends of the Earth, that at least 96 food items (probably more) sold in grocery stores contain nanoparticles. You won’t find that out by reading labels, though. Because food companies aren’t required to list nanoingredients on their labels.

Who’s feeding you nanoparticles? Companies like Kraft, General Mills, Hershey, Nestle, Mars, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Smucker’s and Albertsons, according to Friends of the Earth. (You can get a more comprehensive list from the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.) Coincidentally (or not), most of these companies are members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, and their products are on OCA’s boycott list.

According to Mother Jones, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration admits that nanoparticles pose risks. But in its infinite wisdom, the agency has done nothing to stop the flood of new nanoparticles into your food. And it has no plans to force fake-food companies to fess up to putting this stuff in their food-like products.

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Read the study