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kleinbl00  ·  4736 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Joe Schwarcz: McNugget Chemistry
>Does that mean we shouldn’t consume anything that contains 4-methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate or epigallocatechin gallate? We would have to give up cabbage and tea.

No, because those are called "cabbage" and "tea" (but not really: http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1551541.html). Yeah, you can call water "dihydrogen monoxide" but the FDA isn't going to make you do that. And if you don't think any manufacturer of foodstuffs is gonna go for the simplest, friendliest labeling they can, you're high.

Whether or not TBHQ is safe (I see no reason to assume it's not), Marion Nestle's advice is simply an easy shorthand for "eat what you understand." Most any schmo can pronounce "saccharin", for example, and "partially-hydrogenated coconut oil" is damn near phonetic. However, someone doing the baking isn't going to seek out "partially-hydrogenated coconut oil" when they're cooking for their family, even if it is a tasty ingredient favored by the Keebler elves.

As far as McNuggets, go, here's my favorite clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v...

(Now watch american children: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v...)