Category: Public health

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently confirmed potential genotoxicity risks associated with certain smoke flavorings, leading to a ban in the EU. Given these recent findings, the question arises: is smoke flavor bad for you, and what distinguishes its risks from different sources?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), up to 25% of the world's food crops may be contaminated with mycotoxins, highlighting a widespread and serious public health concern. If you have ever wondered which grains are highest in mycotoxins, understanding the specific risks associated with certain cereals is a critical step toward protecting your health.

According to the World Health Organization, there is no known safe level of lead exposure, yet trace amounts of this toxic metal are sometimes detected in food products. The question, **why is lead allowed in food**, is complex, rooted not in intentional additives but in the pervasive environmental contamination from historical and ongoing industrial activities.

In 2005, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched a campaign that exposed the poor nutritional quality of school lunches in the UK, showcasing a diet of processed junk. This initiative brought to the forefront the long-ignored issue of school meals, fundamentally changing the discussion around what children eat in schools and who is the chef that changed school lunches. While Jamie Oliver is the most globally recognized figure, other chefs like Alice Waters have also been instrumental in this movement.

In 2017, the Global Burden of Disease study estimated that 11 million deaths worldwide were linked to dietary risk factors, highlighting just how many deaths were caused by poor nutrition globally. This staggering figure surpasses mortality rates from other significant factors like smoking, emphasizing the profound and widespread impact of diet on public health.

According to the School Nutrition Association, children who eat meals at school consume more fruits, vegetables, and milk than those who don't. Understanding why is school lunch important for kids goes beyond just providing a meal; it's a critical investment in their overall development and future success.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet. Understanding what is the highest source of added sugar in the US diet is the first step toward making healthier food choices and managing overall well-being.

According to McDonald's own nutritional information for a 10-piece serving, customers consume 850 milligrams of sodium, a significant portion of the American Heart Association's recommended daily limit. This high sodium content is just one reason what makes McDonald's chicken nuggets unhealthy, alongside other factors like processed oils and refined ingredients.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), community water fluoridation is one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. A major function of fluoride is to help prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. This naturally occurring mineral is a critical component of dental health strategies aimed at strengthening enamel and protecting against cavities.

Over 50% of the world's population is deficient in one or more essential nutrients, highlighting the critical importance of nutritional guidance. In Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM), the food pyramid serves as a foundational visual tool for public health nutrition, offering a simple, graphical representation of a healthy, balanced diet.