Banned in Europe, sold in Canada. What’s in your food? (Marketplace)

They are banned or require warning labels in Europe - so why does Health Canada allow certain additives in our food? A CBC Marketplace investigation finds some food manufacturers are producing two different versions of the same snacks - one with certain artificial additives for Canadians and the other without for European consumers. A health advocate says that needs to change.
#Food #Health #CBCMarketplace
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WHAT'S IN OUR FOOD?
producer/director
STEPHANIE KAMPF
reporter
ROSA MARCHITELLI
associate producer
DEXTER MCMILLAN
editor
SIMON PARUBCHAK
camera
NORM ARNOLD
DAVE MACINTOSH
JOHN LESAVAGE
ROB KRBAVAC
DAN PRED
GIUSEPPE MANGIONE
JAMES YOUNG
additional field support
GIA MARIE AMELLA
audio
MIKE MYRDEN
IGAL PETEL
art director
DAVID ABRAHAMS
media management
ASTORIA LUZZI
social media producers
AMARA MCLAUGHLIN
BRITT PURDY
colour correction
KYLE J. SMITH
sound mix
DANY TREMBLAY
project manager
VICTOR KERR
resource coordinators
MARC CORMIER
DRAGAN MARICIC
news rollout producer
JENNY COWLEY
packaging editor
BENNY KOSHY
packaging producer
LINDA SIBONY
promo producer
GREG SADLER
senior producer
TIFFANY FOXCROFT
executive producer
NELISHA VELLANI
FIRST BROADCAST February 16, 2024

[@Debramuise]

I’ve written to my MP and he’s forwarding my concerns to the Minister of Health. Unfortunately I have very little trust in our government making our food safe. Primarily because the food lobbyists have there ears and pay dearly to keep them. 😢

[@jonathanchung7209]

What we need is money, like the lobbyist... To control the corruption.

[@Cobra85291]

​​​@@jonathanchung7209So what your saying is we need to corrupt the corruption by using the good old strategy of money and more corruption? If so count me in.

[@Trolltastically]

We have to start somewhere. Thank you for taking this important step even if it feels futile

[@carlsapartments8931]

Minister of Health>>>>> LAUGHING OUT LOUD>>>>> Debra, until your cash contribution gets bigger and more frequent than big food's no minister is going to give a hoot in hell about what you say. Do you own a Caribbean island the minister can vacation on, do you own a luxury sports box and a private jet, do you have a billionaire lavish estate with all the billionaire luxuries for having a week long hunting or fishing meeting with the minister... need I go on.... and no i don't think I'm being cynical because I think that this is always what big business has been about, getting government cooperation to get rich by spreading a little taste of that around to select people. Why do you think that the answers to questions you ask politicians is filled with political speak, misdirection and no commitment! The rich have so much influence that they barely hide it anymore.

[@freedomforall236]

Remember, it's the same Ministry of Health that forced dangerous experimental covid jabs into arms... no 💉 , no job, no life...

[@mg79277]

European food is so much more regulated and there citizens are very very much better protected than in Canada and the US. Of 3000 banned ingredients In Europe only 1300 are banned in Canada.

[@libertyoverbondage]

Which European countries is lobbying legal? That's the question

[@Marc-gj9vx]

This video isn't about "food", its about snacks and candies

[@jetgorgon269]

Pfft. The EU regulates the size & shape of bananas permitted. Overkill. Check the ingredients yourself.

[@MsHojat]

They're merely more sensitive and cautious. That isn't inherently a good thing. It means that many things get warning labels or are entirely disallowed despite not actually being a problem. That can actually lead to misinformation too.

[@potatopotato8360]

If there's anything I DON'T want to be its a Europeon. Expensive food, too many rules and regulations, renting for life, and riding the bus. No thanks.

[@1951kvk]

I would like Canada to use the same standards as Italy or Sweden.

[@JM5C]

Hehe. 99% of Canada is frozen land.

[@elfishcoder7287]

@@JM5C What does this comment have to do with anything?

[@JM5C]

@@elfishcoder7287 talking about producing food

[@Megitsune69]

Hahahahahaha this will never happen. Our country is waaaaay too cheap to change our food. In Europe, no junk food around the cashier, food regulations are really strict and even toys in Europe are really strict with the type of plastic they use. Canada is like USA, too cheap to make things healthy.

[@joeblow9891]

@une69Ways too many lobbies on top of the cheapiness fact your bring, so it doubles the impact. I agree, sadly it won't happen ever.

[@kyungshim6483]

After watching this, I have come to the conclusion that I should focus more on eating unprocessed foods as much as possible.

[@ahriboy]

Making burger patties is easy, as well as buns.

[@Meybroz]

That is the single most important and effective thing you can do to have a meaningful impact on your health. Cut out processed. It's junk.

[@kamikazedjali]

Absolutely. If you have a place & the desire, a garden too!

[@ROGZI3L]

Only eat food that is real food. Easy to do.

[@angelanderson9515]

💯 😊

[@nancykathryntieger8893]

I am a Canadian with celiac living in the EU. It’s wonderful to not have wheat added to absolutely everything. I asked my butcher if the hamburg patties had wheat in them. “Of course not”, he said, “Some people cannot eat wheat, so we do not put it in our food. “. Not rocket science. I also love my local produce , that may not look perfect but has flavour. It’s difficult to visit Canada and feel forced to eat crap. Expensive crap.

[@Littleone124]

As a Canadian with celiac, I am very envious! I visited Italy in 2022 and was blown away at all the options I had while there.

[@lauram4168]

I know the feeling, I've moved to Canada from Europe 15 years ago and I miss the taste of food back home, eggs have taste, milk has taste, bread etc,...sweets in Canada are super sweet compared to Europe all the cakes with that frosting 😮

[@davidlynch9049]

Canadian living in Germany. Happy with the strict rules for food here Also, organic food (called Bio here) is as affordable as non-organic food.

[@koda3967]

But ...isn't the cost of food *overall* more expensive than in #Canada?

[@annalee5751]

Exactly. They say they want the "irregular" crossers to pick, but that money should have been used for what Germany's got. State of the art weed sprayers that target indivudual plants rather than just dusting everything that "drifts" into the next field. Here, air inducted tips" are "modern" as they reduce drift slightly.

[@beverleyreid563]

that is amazing and the way it should be.

[@dagmarfrerking2235]

​@@koda3967I don't know about Canadian prices, or prices all over Europe, but I know that groceries in Germany are overall cheaper than in the US.

[@stefanmiletic8062]

@@koda3967 Food in Europe is less expensive than in Canada . Even in most Scandinavian countries, food is cheaper than in Canada. In my opinion, it is far better quality than in USA and Canada. Tomatoes that you guys eat, in Italy and Spain that tomatoes would go in the garbage.

[@Gluteus.Maximus]

I love that EU is always at the forefront of safety regulations

[@SusanMiddleton1]

Same with pet food in Europe. Way more regulations than North America.

[@Tomyum19]

@@SusanMiddleton1 Why not just buy human food for your dog if you're so concerned about the quality?

[@Anonymous.Wisper]

😵😵😵😵😵‍💫😵‍💫😵😵 my friends in the euro would beg to differ

[@janisblack2183]

@@Tomyum19 you’re not getting it. The human food is just as bad. Why do you think they sell “raised with antibiotics” and “hormone free” meats at a premium price? Most people can’t afford the regular price of stew meat which is now about $22 per kg.

[@Tomyum19]

@@janisblack2183 Human food is just as bad as dog food? Then why aren't we eating dog food for much cheaper?

[@DRZADV]

To be fair, that's all junk food, the amount of sugar alone is cause for concern. Personally I wouldn't eat any of it.

[@DR-nw7xn]

The "South-hampton 6" is in our food. This is not junk...its poison. Red 40 is a synthetic estrogen!

[@dbeker]

This is true - sugar alone is the root cause of many issues (behavioural, health etc.) and the other additives are essentially adding fuel to the sugar fire. Sugar is a more complicated beast both politically and agriculturally to curtail. But the additives are a different story and we could do something about it like they do in the EU. While this report focused on Junk Food, I'm pretty sure we can find food that is marketed as healthy, containing similar additives.

[@noseboop4354]

It's not just in junk food. Stuff like the pink ginger that comes with sushi, and pink salmon, can also have these dyes.

[@DR-nw7xn]

South Hampton 6 is poison. Look it up.

[@intellivisionmaster7999]

Doritos and Skittles are junk food and should not be consumed even with safer additives. They may as well have a report on what type of alcohol is healthier to get drunk on.

[@karinturkington2455]

Those items you've put in the cart aren't food.

[@applegal3058]

I was thinking the same thing. It's an occasional treat. Not an everyday food item. They're probably the worst quality treats too.

[@traveller_andrew]

​@@applegal3058missing the point, those aren't food full stop. Look up ultra processed foods

[@applegal3058]

@@traveller_andrew oh I have done a ton of reading and watching videos on ultraprocessed foods. Like Tim Spector and Chris Van Tulleken. I rarely eat these snacks shown on the show...maybe once a month and very little. I'm saying itsa treat...not something to be consumed every day or even every week. But if I'm out and someone offers me an M & M, or it's the summer and I'm out with friends for icecream, then yes I'm eating it. 80% of my food is made from scratch or non-ultraprocessed. I'm not obsessed with it though. It would be nice if food companies would put less crap I'm their products, but it's not going to stop me from socializing once every blue moon when someone wants take out or a treat and I want to join them.

[@andrelopez2514]

for me that I have stopped eating then some years ago is really odd when you taste them again, not food definitelly

[@koda3967]

🤦‍♀️ Does it matter? It gets eaten, by children (mostly); ergo: it is a food. The controversy is not about if this food is *healthy,* it is about the #additives that have *not* been proven safe - at any level - that goes into foods/snacks we consume. 🤨

[@robi987]

Same applies to meat...Europe placed a permenant ban on Canadian/American meat for their bad hormones content

[@artificermaestro1487]

Don't forget the 'meat glue'!

[@eph2vv89only1way]

Canadian too? Wow. And we have better standards than the US, so Europe must be REALLY careful. Good for them!

[@sm3675]

Canadian meat tastes so good though ☹️

[@daliab8493]

It’s mostly the American meat

[@minimaladjacent]

canadian meat doesn't have growth hormones etc. usa does.

[@yas92]

Difference between FDA and EU regulators: in the USA you have to prove that something is dangerous, in the EU you have to prove that it is 100% safe. If there’s a doubt they don’t allow it or ban it. That’s valid for pretty much everything not only food and drugs.

[@KURUPT_KANATA]

What the hell is Health Canada doing?????

[@gingermx4095]

Busy rubbing their ears waiting for their every month big cheques

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

We shouldn't be waiting for things to be proven harmful before banning them; we should ban it if it is suspected of being harmful and require it be proven safe before lifting the ban

[@potatopotato8360]

Do you also collect chakra crystals?

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

@@potatopotato8360 no... I simply believe that the tolerance for risk ought to be very low when it comes to what is added to, or used to produce our food supply

[@annalee5751]

Search "Observer plastic rice". You will never complain about our food again.

[@yeoldegrayCat]

I do like the idea of at least having a warning label, we have to make an effort to be aware and not everyone is willing to do that and then they wonder why they have all these illnesses down the line which kind of comes down to ignorance unfortunately. They're focusing on junk food here which is not something we should be eating daily anyway. However some ingredients like titanium dioxide is found in supplements, deodorant etc so you're just damaging your health in the long term by using these products daily, and of course the products that have less chemicals cost more... in that regard banning a replaceable or unnecessary ingredient may be beneficial.

[@chriscarrol9373]

You sound like someone that would be a pain to spend time around. Bad things happen in life deal with it.

[@Borisvanderoost]

The issue is that Canada and the US are essentially the same market. Unless there's a fundamental change in the FDA, we will continue to have food standards that are years behind the EU.

[@potatopotato8360]

America > Europe any day.

[@colind7678]

​@@potatopotato8360Europe is light years ahead of the US.

[@potatopotato8360]

@@colind7678 Europe didn't put a man on the moon or invent the operating system your computer is using. America did.

[@colind7678]

@potatopotato8360 The United States wouldn't exist without England. Thanks for trying, though 😂😂😂

[@potatopotato8360]

@@colind7678 America exists without an English king and westminster parliament just fine. Thanks for your concern though.

[@Chrissie113]

Synthetic dyes are cheaper They avoid using them in Europe because they don't want a warning label on the product as warning labels effect sales. If we had the same labeling laws in Canada I bet that you'll see less synthetic dyes Money talks

[@potatopotato8360]

Don't like synthetic dyes? Don't buy them. Problem solved Karen.

[@Wandering_desert_guy]

@@potatopotato8360why is she a karen

[@potatopotato8360]

@@Wandering_desert_guy Because she wants to ban certain food ingredients for everyone else because of her own irrational fear of anything "artificial".

[@Wandering_desert_guy]

@@potatopotato8360 well to be fair to original intent of calling someone a karen is to point out that they’re a middle age white women who has a melt down due to minor inconvenience so this barely qualifies

[@Chrissie113]

@@potatopotato8360 mmmmmhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@WaningGibbous]

This isn't food, its sugar....

[@19king14]

Has anyone "googled" - "What countries is red 40 banned in?" You might be surprised. I am very allergic to Red 40 and can eat none of it. The first thing I thought when I saw "Allura Red" is is it a different name of "Red 40"? This video shows it is. There is no need for Red 40 at all. It should be totally banned.

[@andreakelemen2520]

I've also had allergic reactions to Red40 and find it is hard to avoid it. Years ago I was taking Benadryl to help only to discover that it was in the Bendaryl tablets too! I now have to read every label including health and beauty products and medications.

[@agems56]

No! like with peanut allergies, just keep using or consuming it until the body accepts it as normal ingestion, and stops reacting against it!

[@Aeorocks]

The EU is run by the people, with the safety of the people in mind. Canada and the US are run by corporations, with the safety of keeping the business profitable.

[@nikkic2120]

I moved out of Canada to SE Asia and I have lost so much weight. Made no major changes to my diet and I still eat pizza, pasta, sweets. Make it make sense

[@peters1992]

Titanium dioxide is in paint, and vitamins! Yes, and food. Canada, for the most part, simply follows the FDA. Which we all know is run by pharmaceuticals, big food and agriculture. Even if there’s a slight suspicion that an additive is harmful, it should be banned.

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

💯💯💯

[@ahriboy]

Health Canada should follow EU's rulings

[@MsHojat]

Are you suggesting that it's a bad thing that titanium dioxide is in food? why?

[@ahriboy]

@@MsHojat long term use of banned additives can cause side effects

[@sebastienbolduc5654]

The FDA is actually active within Canada. Don't ask me how I know this. I'll just say that I was offered a job many years ago and I had to meet with the head of the FDA for that region. They like to use us as guinea pigs. Well, that's the impression I walked away with. I could always be wrong about those assumptions.

[@ryandubyah2345]

My brother and sister in law were in Ireland visiting family recently, they sent back a few pictures from the grocery markets. I LOVE how they do it, any meats tell you exactly what farm the animals lived on and the names of the owners. That is excellent accountability AND a great way to know your food is fresh and local

[@hp4985]

Canada: can't prove the chemicals are harmful. *Keeps it* EU: can't prove the chemicals are NOT harmful *Removes it* I think the EU's way if thinking is better for us. Very protective and preventative.

[@robertskolimowski7049]

Gee, why would u give this sh*t to anybody to eat to begin with, let alone to kids??

[@carmenneumann9479]

Less chemicals... more flavor...

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

My mother used to make the best soups when I was a kid growing up in the DRC. All natural and the flavors were just heaven to the palate. Nowadays, in North America, I find fruits, veggies and some meats have little flavor.

[@CanadianEhHole]

@@thierrynolevaux9268 But I bet you they look fresh, clean, and lack any blemishes or bruises. Appearance is king in our society because it's what most people go for. We also have to appreciate the fact that we live in Canada. Most of our produce isn't grown here. There are limitations that you wouldn't get if you were to live in a place where the produce is grown domestically.

[@agems56]

More money,(cost)

[@Chahlie]

When my kids were little I put strawberry or raspberry juice in cupcakes to make them pink :) You know, the juice from when you thaw your home grown/frozen berries..... You can also add that juice to your homemade salad dressing :)

[@brittanyrussell727]

What a great tip! Thanks for sharing

[@Natella3312]

It is obviously time to review all the manufacturing by regulators and authorities. No sugar, no corn syrup, fructose and chemical sweeteners, no palm oil, no coloring agents...and so one...

[@libertyoverbondage]

Government won't do anything, the uproar needs to come from consumers! We also need to look ahead to Europe, and not to the United States

[@rb239rtr]

so that means no cranberries, they are too sour without sugar

[@broodmother5027]

The fda is in the back pockets of the food giants since they were formed... Harvey Washington Wiley did experiment on human subjects...look up the "poison squad "

[@Royalbliss206]

​@@rb239rtr use stevia instead of sugar

[@SweatySockGaming]

Big Food won’t let that happen

[@r.1599]

I'm allergic to Yellow Dye #6. I've been wondering why the can of Pringles I bought yesterday made me sick. I'm glad you showed the alternative names for the colourings because the can label doesn't list Yellow Dye #6, but it does list "Sunset Yellow" which, as you now tell us, _is_ Yellow Dye #6. Food companies in Canada get away with not labeling things honestly because they can, and they do it because they know that if they put what's really on the product, on the label, we likely wouldn't buy it. By not clearly disclosing Yellow Dye #6 on their label, Pringles knowingly and made me sick. The obfuscation is deliberate, and Health Canada allows it like they allow so many other things they know are harmful to our health.

[@KenH-sg2wf]

We need a class action lawsuit against the government for their negligence in this!

[@r.1599]

@@KenH-sg2wf Difficult when Health Canada allows it.

[@ErrorExam404]

It bothers me that they're trying to make them sound like new Crayola markers

[@r.1599]

@@ErrorExam404 You make a sound point. Infantalising the Canadian public is a big problem with too many big corporate or governmental powers.

[@agems56]

Sunset says it all! The end of days!

[@forresthu6204]

It is time to put human being's well being on the first priority.

[@SireDragonChester]

Canada should also BAN plastic every touching anything we eat or consume. There is plenty other option, like wax paper, cardboard, or glass, tin. Instead using plastic wrap our food in. There too much plastic being used to wrap or protect our food. With high chance being in our food or drinks.

[@rig4365]

No. Plastic wrap has made food safer for everyone. Plastic utensils means not cutting g dow. Trees. Wax paper, fu e at a butcher , but not for the masses

[@agems56]

Plastic is a by product of crude oil that has to be disposed of any way it can! Why else were back yard burning barrels banned and replaced first with plastic garbage bags, and now, billions of recycle, garbage and compost bins! Oh! And of course, plastic bumpers on motor vehicles!

[@martinemjt]

why titanium dioxide in food!!!??? europeans in general are more concerned about the quality of their food!!!

[@Lauracom]

Its in our toothpaste and medicine too.

[@Misss_Em]

I have been staying away from all sugary treats for the last year. It has made a load of difference in my mood and health. All these treats are killing us slowly. honestly think there should be way more warnings about the addiction to sugar more that then anything.

[@rok1475]

Loblaws is now selling pure lard for baking that contains carcinogenic additive that is currently banned in Canada…

[@Mountain-Viking]

Like always Canadian Government is waiting on the FDA that is waiting for the industries to tell them it's ok. We need independent studies, not studies paid and done by the industries.

[@chrisanthony144]

It's all about money

[@vdeblois1352]

Over a decade ago my sister was living in the UK.. she would send us different treats to show us the difference.. we had the same reaction as the kids.. not only did the colors look more natural (a good thing) but they tasted better.

[@SocietyNeedsImprovement]

Forget the food coloring, is ANY part of a Skittle good for you?

[@haroldhaynes1244]

I am just an "ol lay person". If there is no evidence that it is harmful (so says Canada), and they allow these things to be added; where is their evidence that it is in fact, safe?

[@noseboop4354]

Health Canada follows the same strategy as the US FDA: there must be a big study proving something is harmful before they ban it. But the 'ol lay person' doesn't have the millions of dollars to fund these studies. It took forever to prove smoking is harmful, imagine how much harder it is to prove long term attention span disorders from food dyes. Canadians and Americans are all guinea pigs of the food industry. Contrast this with the EU policy where it is asumed all new food chemicals are potentially harmful, and it must be proven that they are safe. Now the onus is on food companies to spend the millions of dollars in studies if they wish to use these dyes. And you can clearly see the results, most would rather use safe natural dyes instead.

[@PatG-xd8qn]

Because then they couldn't allow anything since anything can potentielly be harmful for us when consumed in a high dose.

[@lloydbrown9327]

Do health Canada really car e about the people. Maybe they have interest in the big corporations?

[@nonamesite]

I developed food sensitivities a couple years ago and I now stay away from certain foods that I used to enjoy and am leaning to more organic and whole foods. Still learning from it but I now pretty much have to avoid anything packaged and processed

[@JohnYoung-ls6dd]

I work in construction 7or 8 years ago I was on a job in Milton building a dog food plant , the owner showed up near the end , he was from Spain, he’s been a dog lover all his life , I remember him telling us his strict rule was to put ingredients in the dry dog food that is better than the ingredients in the grocery stores in Canada he said it was high quality human edible ingredients, now this is for dogs with him at least he made Sure he wanted dogs to eat healthy to live longer , our useless government only want the tax money from the food companies, they don’t care about us ,they could stop it if they wanted to .

[@s.maskell7134]

Beware the middle & frozen food aisles of grocery stores. Read all labels carefully. Even pre-made sauces can have lots of detrimental fillers & colouring in them.

[@Lauracom]

Artificial dye is in Canadian medicine and toothpaste too.

[@NotTooExtreme]

A parent said 'a warning label should be there and the choice of the person ....... ' No, forget about having a label. These types of garbage food shouldn't be allowed in canada or anywhere else in the world period.

[@ninemoonplanet]

Look at the ingredients in Cheerios, it TSP trisodium phosphate. That's a wall cleaner used to make walls clean enough to paint. 🤢

[@PatGilliland]

Yeah and there's ethanoic acid in your vinegar.

[@martinemjt]

big chem ! just look at round up !

[@gorelash9056]

That doesn't mean anything though, it's just a scare tactic. Is it unhealthy?

[@AutumnGrace2919]

Wow thanks for the education, I didn’t know that. I guess I shall be reading labels now.

[@agems56]

And a bowel cleaner as well, wow, a two in one cleaner!

[@noid8814]

CBC should have done a show on the cereals. Kid eat in north america. People have no clue how some of these cereals aren't allowed in europe.

[@julianfontaine4062]

You gotta follow the money. It's always about money and lobbying. What company has who in their pockets

[@Lauracom]

The artificial dye industry is worth 6 billion dollars.

[@Gingercat662]

There's been recent reports of increases in stomach cancers in young people. Not saying these additives are the cause, but if they make make the foods without them, why put them in?? The titanium dioxide seems especially concerning.

[@eyannie007]

I found a big chunk of glass in my bread. No one no lawyers want to go up against Galon Weston

[@Carlos-qz7ul]

Je pense que ce sujet nécessite une note de pied de page quant à l'utilisation du dioxyde de titane en Europe : les compagnies pharmaceutiques continuent de l'utiliser intensivement dans leurs produits les plus diffusés, tel que Doliprane, Spasfon, etc. J'utilise Doliprane, un anti-douleur courant à base de paracétamol depuis des années, mais j'ai abandonné la forme effervescente du médicament au bénéfice des pastilles à avaler, lorsque j'ai appris que la première contient du titane, juste pour lui donner un teint plus blanc que blanc... Maintenant que vous me dites que ça peut affecter son capital ADN, je vois que j'avais eu raison. Mon pharmacien, qui est un exemple d'ignorance totale, ne savait pas que le produit qu'il vend en contient, entre autres choses basiques qu'il n'a pas su expliquer. Conclusion : s'informer est essentiel pour le consommateur. Bonne recherche à mes amis canadiens ! 👪

[@SHERRY0010]

Now why don’t you go after sugars ? And what about high fructose corn syrup? And don’t forget about Polysorbate 80 and 60?

[@flufferbutter]

What they put in their cart was not "food".

[@Lauracom]

Its also in toothpaste and medicine.

[@TheClipperchip]

Who can afford food????

[@reverendaljones45]

as a basic example of the current situation, a can of e.d. smith pie filling is priced at $8.35 a 540ml per can at save on foods in central b.c.............

[@evanhearne4020]

As an Irish person who lived in Ontario for nearly three months, here's what I have to say about Canadian food. I think that in general, the Canadian consumer misses out on flavour in food, even plain vegetables or dairy products, unless they splurge to get the nice product that is seen as really good. I've also seen that chocolate tastes plainer and you need to splurge to get the nice stuff. Swiss Chalet roast dinner seen as a fancy dish? That's just Sunday roast here in Ireland. :) I wouldn't make a meal out of the food dyes - I think in general moderate consumption should be okay. I think the issue lies in the diet itself for most Canadians and even then, it is also down to high food prices driving the diet to the dirt. Would I prefer if they didn't contain the dyes? Absolutely, however you have variety in the foods you eat everywhere and actually a lot of people really enjoy food products from North America in Europe. I see a lot of people in the comments writing to their local MPs to achieve higher food quality and lower costs, and I think that's awesome. Without the European supermarkets and strict importing of foods in Canada, it makes it difficult for Canadians to see the difference in food quality. For example, I would highly recommend going a little south to buy Kerrygold in the US, bring it back, and try the butter. You'll notice a big difference in flavour. Also, try going to Aldi or Lidl in the US too - you'll also notice a huge difference. It's because European supermarkets have higher food standards and that is not to knock places like Sobeys or others. However with that being said, when I go back, that ain't going to stop me from having my double double or marshmallow mateys. Within moderation, they're quite delicious. I will also need to go to the farmers' market to get the eggs that don't have the outer shell washed, and food products that are more natural yet cheaper than in supermarkets. I can have unwashed eggs here in Ireland and keep them unrefrigerated for about a month and they don't go off. It's crazy the difference.

[@henryuniacke5176]

I was being taught about the dangers of these dyes when I was a pupil at a school in England as part of our Health Education curriculum, back in 1986. I am surprised that there is still not sufficient evidence after all these years.

[@chrispella9058]

What food? This is just crap no food here.

[@Lauracom]

Dye is also in our toothpaste and medicine.

[@Jon-hx7pe]

i don't mind toothpaste dye because i'm not swallowing it. @@Lauracom

[@katrina.a.e]

Can you please cover more about value village? There is so much you didn't cover. Getting rid of their dressing rooms, overpricing everything (not just Dollarama items with price tags still on them), their no return policy, their lack of hygiene (selling things at luxury consignment prices without cleaning them), and so much more

[@adamauger6427]

Has it occurred to people to eat real meat and vegetables? You should not even go down the center aisles in the store.

[@Deeoj7lz]

Correct. Stick to meat, eggs, dairy and produce. Center isle only good for Spices and good oils (olive, avocado) nuts, pickles, olives, carbonated water. That's about it unless someone can add something I've missed?

[@elizabethmcleod246]

@@Deeoj7lzCarbonated water and sodas are not healthy for the bladder.

[@user-ov6gi3ee4b]

​@Deeoj7lz you can also make your own pickles. The stuff that is put in pickles to keep them crispy is also harmful.

[@chriscarrol9373]

​@@Deeoj7lzYou forgot all the dried beans lentils flour basically pantry single ingredients your great grandmother would recognize. Unfortunately they are mixed with a bunch of processed junk.

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

Correct...only buy items along the walls or perimeter of the store...eg. vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy...all in moderation of course. All the garbage is the middle down the aisles. Benefit of europe is no GMO or chlorine washed chicken.

[@justachick7761]

One of the things that should be looked at is the effect of these additives on the nerve endings.

[@luvurab]

Unfortunately we think of items like this as food. They are not. Anything that comes in a package with additives, with an ingredients list is pseudo-food. We’re all better off if we eat real whole foods.

[@RichEmbury]

Wouldn't it save these companies $$ if they no longer have to buy and use this stuff in their products? They'd rather use shrinkflation then cut out unneeded ingredients. It makes no sense. Out of the mouths of babes, as they say, also improves taste by the sounds of it. Who cares if they arent as orange or red. No wonder all our food has lost its flavour since I was a kid. KD is a big one. Whatever the did to that, has ruined it.

[@fayebird1808]

The KD has the EU formulation now. Annatto, turmeric and paprika. The petroleum based products are cheaper to use, spices are more costly,

[@RichEmbury]

@@fayebird1808 yes, it's gross now.

[@wigglesnapper]

I hate how much our consumer practices are influenced by being adjacent to the US... wish we followed the EU's practices instead. Will be notifying my MP and asking for better food regulation. This is a great piece, thank you CBC.

[@jeganv1473]

Consumer protections in Canada I find are often worse than even the US. For a so called 1st world nation we have some pretty 2nd or sometimes even 3rd world consumer protections. Though this report focuses on junk food and some obvious crap additives, there is even more out there the EU prevents into their block. A lot of cheap US food imports are not allowed for things like antibiotics and growth hormones. I highly doubt Canada would ever ban them short of us having something to protect like our milk industry. When those conservatives inevitably want us to "open our market" especially if we produce that food here. I don't think cheap food, I instead think crap food.

[@Debramuise]

Glad to hear.

[@dub604]

Cheerios in Canada contain trisodium phosphate... Cheerios in the EU do not contain TSP as it's not a food product, is not edible and is in fact a poison. TSP is described this way... "effectively prepares surfaces for painting to improve paint adhesion and when the job's done, use TSP to restore your paintbrushes! It helps to prepare driveways before sealing to improve adhesion of the sealer. This multi-purpose heavy duty cleaner and degreaser removes wax and grease from surfaces as well as driveway and concrete stains." (not the kind of thing you want to be feeding your kids for breakfast).

[@smoothbraindetainer]

Water contains dihydrogen monoxide which is a powerful solvent. Should we ban that too?

[@daarkforest1216]

Then why add in the food. Singing petition to band.

[@DJDOUBLE077]

It isn't only the junk food which is affected. The pesticide and herbicide residue we consume on crops are surely killing us. We use chemicals which have been banned abroad. Nobody is looking out for your interest here.

[@joan-lisa-smith]

I wouldn't call anything they tested in this episode "food", it's all processed once in awhile treats, food is what you eat daily. Sad thing is to some this is food.

[@carlsenma]

we were short of children medicine because of the label issue, but the candies never had shortage problems even with the lacking label info ?

[@peterjohnson5586]

You not be buying these 'candies', period. Why are people buying this crap is beyond me.

[@containedhurricane]

Advertising power

[@ani_ds12]

Considering health Canada's response and performance during the pandemic, evaluation and introducing such regulations is a far fetched thought

[@tomzphone]

you don't have to go as far as candy and snacks. Just look at at US Milk. It's banned pretty much everywhere.

[@alessandrosilveira9009]

Maybe I am totally wrong... but I have the impression that Health Canada is so slow when compared with other countries... If I am not totally wrong... would be worth to understand why Health Canada is most of the time behind or running behind of its own tail...

[@JessiJohnson]

LOL…. They just put complete garbage in their cart.

[@hedycampbell586]

Of course, these should not be in our food even if the health risk is somewhat debateable. But my comment is:- you showed only sugary snacks which cannot even be considered as food, and which are not part of a meal so can be easily avoided but I would like to see which items from the grocery aisles contain chemicals that are banned in Europe. I think shoppers in Canada need to know.

[@linewalker]

Thank you for this investigation.

[@Royalbliss206]

Our food has just gotten out of control( meaning its full of horrible ingredients),I went Keto it's expensive and frustrating that their aren't more choices but I will never go back to carbohydrates and sugar foods ,my inflammation is gone and I'm not bringing it back by eating crap

[@Deeoj7lz]

You are correct😮

[@RJ_Groot]

you filled your cart with garbage. I don't think the small amount of dye is the biggest issue.

[@BPMoments]

None of what you had in the cart is FOOD.

[@malcolmrae77]

I ask CBC Marketplace for an investigation into pharma. I’m amazed at the “legacy” media and the promotion of pharma along with medical-industrial complex, the false advertising (“safe and effective”) and publicity of lies.

[@diamond4829]

shocking, isn't it, once your eyes are opened to whats really going on

[@walu_b]

Spaniard living in Canada here: I can confirm my stomach is very sensitive to all the additives Canadian food has, to the point that I cannot eat anything sweet or eat take away food so I cook homemade food to avoid being sick.

[@simpanzee1006]

its crazy to think these companies make changes when they're told to do so in some parts of the world. But will continue to hide the truth or risks to their other markets. It shows that they know they can get away with harmful practices

[@mthomas1800]

Canada we must do our very best. Come on….

[@jwychau]

It’s not even Canadians that benefit from these lax regulations.. it’s American companies that make this crqp that gets the profits .. we pay for it on the other end with healthcare being overwhelmed

[@agems56]

We Canadians are already doing our best to cater to the world's problems to the point of bending over backwards and forgetting about our own domestic disasters! Quality of life was great in the sixties and seventies (paradise) now with more and more (parasites), lost a lot of that greatness! Over reaction to the Corona Virous was the biggest killer of our economy! A disastrous Reset on everything in the upward trend! SAD!

[@danielb2940]

I have to say after seeing the skittles. The ones tastes more natural in Europe than in the Canada or the US. You can taste the fruit that they are supposed to be flavored as and it makes it 1000x better

[@suave-rider]

Australian skittles are made in China without the banned ingredients.

[@gabe415]

If those foods, candies dies are banned in many European countries then it should be banned in Canada. Why would it be different?

[@freddyfriesen]

How about a warning label for foods that contain fructose sugar complete with pictures of persons who have had their legs amputated, extreme pain in leg muscles from diabetic neuropathy, using walkers and wheelchairs, seeing eye dogs and white canes ? The trouble with type 2 diabetes is that once you experience its extreme effects it is basically too late to reverse.

[@travelchic908]

I miss Icelandic chocolate and gummies. I remember the ingredients list was shorter and it was so flavorful and delicious. The milk was significantly more pure and fresh tasting too and I normally dont like milk. It made me realize our gov gives no 💩 and puts $$ first.

[@JoniMitchell-qi6hr]

Nothing new😮Food dy e s for years Dont eat junk food

[@MrPiokaco]

As a European I can say that in this 14 minutes video food starts at 4:30 and ends at 4:40.

[@nadyabest1279]

Red 40 is now banned in California. Small change for companies, good change for consumers. It’s really not that complicated, we just need to push for these laws

[@Neuzahnstein]

Means us wide it is more less banned. Too expensive for different versions.

[@RickCopeland-hh4ou]

A loose term to be calling those products “food”. They should be regulated like tobacco and alcohol. Shouldn’t be allowed on grocery shelves.

[@paulmasson8538]

I would like to see more transparency in sourcing ingredients in our processed foods. Labeling on country of origin on key ingredients, such as apples in our apple juice. Also, the country of origin of vitamins added to our foods.

[@Inquisitor2024]

WHO fills up a grocery cart with junk food anyway

[@sgjdsyevkfhao]

This is such an well made repotage thank you!

[@einat1622]

"Foods". Those items are not food- they are snacks & candies.

[@Oops-Ops]

That's very accurate. About a year ago, I purchased some food, and upon opening it, I found it had fungus. Similarly, a few months back, I purchased chips from a reputable store, only to find that the packets on the shelf were already expired. Fortunately, the saleswoman kindly checked each one for me and provided me with an item that hadn't expired yet. Until she mentioned it, I hadn't even thought to check the expiry date. My question is: Why do you continue to display expired items on your shelves?

[@Nicole-xd1uj]

I think the real investigation should be on who is running the Canadian FDA and how many of their members are being funded by the food industry and big pharma.

[@robertskolimowski7049]

Also, I find it baffling that they don't talk about much more dangerous food additives like eg. flavours enhancers, some preservatives, etc.

[@lloydbrown9327]

Yes...they should investigate real food. Not junk food!

[@Lauracom]

My family is severely affected by dye - so I'm thrilled they did this story (but they didnt include many notable points, like its presence in medicine). To me, artificial colour is the MOST dangerous additive, because the neurological effects on her are WILD.

[@robertskolimowski7049]

@Lauracom Hmm, did not realize that🤔

[@lloydbrown9327]

@@Lauracom I know they affect my granddaughter!

[@Velvetrose737]

Health canada probably didn’t even check this out, don’t let them fool ya, lol

[@Number6_]

You heard it here. The Canadian government has asked permission of the US drug administration (FDA) to stop using titanium dioxide in canada. Not a decision they can take in parliament, why? Ethalene glycol, Antifreeze is another harmful chemical used in US/Canadaian food.

[@feelvictory]

consumers >>>> corporation in EU, consumers >>>>>>>>>>> corporation in CBC Marketplace

[@social3ngin33rin]

Food in the USA is probably worse...might as well be living at the chemical factories to drink random liquids and inhale random fumes

[@Lauracom]

Definitley worse there.

[@sfract6833]

Great points, love what we're talking about here. -- Just wish it was more concise, far too often Marketplace makes their point... then continues to say the same thing, phrased differently for the next 5 minutes.

[@tmtyd3000]

Thank you kindly for doing this report.

[@maayy0759]

I hate that they don’t even label GMO foods or bio-engendered food in Canada. They should have strict warning labels

[@Ljtheloner]

Another reminder to check ingredient list and know what you are eating. And good to see Dr Khan and tyler on youtube haha