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U.S. dioxin emissions from man-made sources have declined more than 92% since 1987 due to a number of industry and government initiatives. Dioxin is a byproduct commonly found in the environment as a result of natural and industrial processes. There have been concerns over the years about the potential health impacts of dioxins, but consensus science reports indicate that there are no known established health effects in people resulting from typical dioxin exposure through diet and environment.
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Low-calorie sweeteners (sometimes referred to as non-nutritive sweeteners, artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes) are ingredients added to food to provide sweetness without adding a significant amount of calories. Low-calorie sweeteners have been the subject of extensive scientific research looking at a variety of health conditions, including weight.
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Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener used in foods and beverages in more than 100 countries around the world. It is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. The calories in foods can be substantially reduced, and in some products eliminated, by using aspartame in place of sugar.
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Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our environment. It is widely distributed within the earth’s crust. It enters the environment through both natural and manmade sources such as mineral ore processing or from herbicides used in various agricultural applications. Arsenic may be present in many foods at trace levels through the soil, environment, processing, growing conditions and water sources such as groundwater.
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Bisphenol A, also referred to as BPA, is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic or epoxy resins. There is an impressive body of research that supports the safety of BPA for use in its current applications. Many health authorities around the world recognize this consensus science and confirm the safety of BPA.
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When you think of sodium, salt probably comes to mind. Although the two terms, “sodium” and “salt” are often used interchangeably, they are different substances. The chemical name for salt, sodium chloride, reveals that sodium is in fact a component of salt. By weight, salt is composed of 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride. One teaspoon of salt weighs 5 grams and contains about 2,300 milligrams of sodium.
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Here in the U.S. we enjoy one of the safest, abundant and affordable food supplies in the world. Our food safety system is designed to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone. However, we do experience unfortunate incidences where food enters our food supply that is somehow contaminated and unsafe for sale or consumption.
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Endocrine disruptors are chemical compounds, either naturally-occurring or man-made, that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system. Trace amounts of these compounds are just about everywhere in our environment, in things like cosmetics, foods, pesticides, consumer products, and even pharmaceuticals. Everyone can be exposed to them through normal routines such as breathing, touching and eating, as they enter the body through the lung, skin and the mouth.
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Dietary sodium has received increasingly intense attention due to its effect on blood pressure and the increasing prevalence of hypertension in the U.S. population. Since 2005, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , has recommended that healthy Americans without risk of hypertension should consume no more than 2,300 mg sodium per day. Those with or at risk for hypertension are advised to consume no more than 1,500 mg sodium per day.
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The United States provides one of the safest food supplies in the world. With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the food, beverage and agricultural industries working together, our food supply is becoming even safer. However, despite all of these safety factors, microorganisms may still exist at levels that present risks to consumers.
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