Introduction

It’s a common concern among Americans — what you eat can have an impact on your health, but it’s not always the obvious culprit when you think about it. After all, we take our food very seriously, and we only want to add healthy ingredients that are free from harmful pesticides and preservatives. But this isn’t always the case. When it comes to unsafe foods, some of us may be unaware of the dangers hidden within their packaging. 

Here are some things that can be going on in the food industry that should be addressed immediately. 

1. Lead Exposure Caused by Drinking Water and Filling Up

Lead is one of the most dangerous metals in the world, and its presence in drinking water has been associated with several health problems including childhood cancer, respiratory infections, and kidney damage. 

2. Mold Growth on Meat Packaging During Cooking

Mold is a fungal disease that affects meat products and can cause a variety of food poisoning symptoms. Some signs of mold growth include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, headache, red eyes, confusion, and eye irritation. 


3. Chemicals Made Using Synthetic Materials

Synthetic materials are used in manufacturing goods, but there’s evidence that they’re contributing to numerous health problems. This includes phthalates found in plastics, dyes that come through oil spills, and others that are used in the textile industry. This type of plastic contains phthalates that are known to interfere with hormone levels and disrupt reproductive function. 

4. Nitrates Generated by Oil Spillage

The nitrate levels caused by an oil spill can be very high, and if these are absorbed into the soil or water supply, they can contaminate crops and other edible plants that grow nearby.

5. Mercury Found in Salmon and Eggs Sold in Stores

Mercury is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Studies show that mercury from contaminated seafood can harm people’s nervous systems and cause developmental disorders, cancer, and early birth. 

6. Chlorinated Plastic Waste Producing Air Pollution

Chlorinated plastic waste is created by industrial processes that process non-recyclable polymers into new plastic products. 

7. Toxic Waste from Paper Recycling

Recycled paper is becoming increasingly dangerous due to its toxicity. For instance, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that approximately two million tons of printed newspaper is incinerated annually in the United States alone. 


8. Agricultural Irradiation Increases Risk of Cancer

Radiation from agricultural uses can cause DNA damage, resulting in cancers of the brain and lungs. 

9. Radioactive Wastes Being Placed Near Livestock Feeding Facilities

Radioactive wastes are placed near livestock feedlots and then sent off to landfills, where they can contaminate the ground and surface waters. 

10. Insecticides Tracing Their Way into Home Plants

Insecticides such as neonicotinoids have been documented to enter the body via humans and animals, leading to allergies and other allergic reactions.

11. Garbage Trucks Leaving Trash Discharge into Rivers

The majority of garbage trucks leave their trash along roadsides, rivers, and streets, which can pollute the environment. 

12. Tobacco Contains Nicotine That Affects Blood Pressure

Tobacco is one of the most addictive drugs and has been linked to several health complications such as cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even death. 


13. Overmedication Causing Drug Dependence

Overmedication has been shown to lead to drug dependence and addiction, which can impact patients’ quality of life. 

14. Deficiency Disorders Caused by Eating Junk Food

Deficiency disorders have been linked to poor nutrition, which causes low energy, weakness, and fatigue in individuals. 

15. Animal Testing Causes Disease

Animal experimentation is highly unethical, and it leads to animal suffering and death. Animals used for food production are often subjected to cruel and inhumane conditions, which can lead to diseases such as salmonella or E. coli being passed on from animal to human.

16. Animals Experiencing Stress

The stress caused by excessive noise, temperature changes, and lack of shelter is often linked to mental illness and other psychological conditions. 

17. Leakages from Ships and Landfills

Leaks into seabed, lakes, bodies of water, and soil can cause diseases in local communities. Food waste that ends up in oceans or rivers can cause algal blooms, deplete oxygen levels, and create dead zones where no aquatic life can survive.


18. Fish Deaths Caused by Entomology Diseases

Fish deaths caused by entomology diseases are a growing problem in the food industry. These diseases are spread through insects and can cause significant losses to fish populations if left unchecked. 

19. Illnesses Caused by Climate Change

Climate change is making weather patterns unpredictable and increasing the chances of illnesses being spread across areas. As temperatures rise, food insecurity becomes more common and illnesses caused by contaminated water or air pollution become increasingly prevalent.

20. Acid Rain Causing Ozone Layer Depletion

Acid rain is one of the leading causes of ozone layer depletion. The acidity in the air from burning fossil fuels and other pollutants can cause damage to plants, animals, and even humans when it comes into contact with food sources. This can lead to a decrease in crop yields as well as an increase in health risks associated with eating contaminated foods.