Why I may never eat deli meats again....

therobinator

Boar's Head Ovengold Turkey Breast (which is supposed to be the best of the best) ingredients: Turkey Breast, Water, Contains Less Than One Half Percent Of Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate And Dextrose.

Sodium Phosphate - really??

"Sodium phosphate is used to completely empty the colon (large intestine, bowel) before a colonoscopy (examination of the inside of the colon to check for colon cancer and other abnormalities) so that the doctor will have a clear view of the walls of the colon. Sodium phosphate is in a class of medications called saline laxatives. It works by causing diarrhea so that all the stool can be emptied from the colon."

Products containing Sodium Phosphate were pulled from the market because of kidney damage issues. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phospho_soda

Looks like my DH is finally going to get his wish of us buying a mini home deli slicer.

CassieLEO

Oh man!!! Good to know!!!

Grokette

There are preservative free deli meats, but they will cost you between 10 and 14.00 per pound............

But, they taste awesome!!!

beckajw

I like to keep preservatives out of my food too, but the sodium phosphate you are talking about isn't the same thing as that used in foods.

"Sodium phosphate is a generic term that may refer to any sodium salt of phosphoric acid. They're commonly added to food and may serve a variety of purposes. Sodium phosphates have been well studied and are generally considered safe when used as a food additive. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/40858-sodium-phosphate-label/#ixzz1MdEOpE3V"


And I agree with the above poster, the meats without preservatives taste awesome!

therobinator

I like to keep preservatives out of my food too, but the sodium phosphate you are talking about isn't the same thing as that used in foods.

"Sodium phosphate is a generic term that may refer to any sodium salt of phosphoric acid. They're commonly added to food and may serve a variety of purposes. Sodium phosphates have been well studied and are generally considered safe when used as a food additive. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/40858-sodium-phosphate-label/#ixzz1MdEOpE3V"

Respectfully, I must disagree. Just because the author of the article you linked didn't happen to mention kidney troubles or the fact that PhosphoSoda was pulled from the market because of it, doesn't mean the issue isn't a real one. And, who knows whether he knows about that or not, or why he included and didn't include the information that he did.

Chemically, sodoum phosphate is sodium phosphate is sodium phosphate. Mono-, di-, or tri- doesn't matter to me. It shouldn't be in my food.

melsinct

Traditional deli meats aren't that healthy in general- high sodium, processed meats. When I get the craving I buy mine at Whole Foods since it isn't full of garbage. For example, the turkey bologna is $8/pound but I recognize every ingredient in there (Turkey, water, spices, salt). Their turkey breast has two ingredients: turkey and salt.

UpEarly

You might be overreacting a little. Sodium and phosphorous are naturally occurring and both necessary for human life. Sodium phosphorous as a food additive is safe and is used as a better/healthier substitute for using nitrites. The CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) even lists phosphates (such as sodium phosphate) as being SAFE food additives, while sodium nitrite is on their avoid list.

Sodium phosphate used for pre-colonoscopy bowel cleansing is different, and really shouldn't be compared to the way it's used as a food additive. The problem with Phospho Sodium as a colonoscopy prep stemmed from people ingesting large amounts of phosphorous at a time their body is dehydrated and experiencing electrolyte imbalance. Elderly people, people with high blood pressure, people taking diuretics and NSAIDS were the ones at a higher risk of developing kidney failure from colonoscopy prep. And even so, the incidence number was pretty low. Several recent medical journals have published recently saying that their follow-up research is showing that Phospho sodium prep is safe, and should still be the preferred method of prep for some patients.

Of course, eat what you want - but I don't think you need to be scared of Boar's Head turkey. :-)

therobinator

Of course, eat what you want - but I don't think you need to be scared of Boar's Head turkey. :-)

I am not scared of it. I just see no need for ANYthing to be added to food other than the food itself.

beckajw

I like to keep preservatives out of my food too, but the sodium phosphate you are talking about isn't the same thing as that used in foods.

"Sodium phosphate is a generic term that may refer to any sodium salt of phosphoric acid. They're commonly added to food and may serve a variety of purposes. Sodium phosphates have been well studied and are generally considered safe when used as a food additive. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/40858-sodium-phosphate-label/#ixzz1MdEOpE3V"

Respectfully, I must disagree. Just because the author of the article you linked didn't happen to mention kidney troubles or the fact that PhosphoSoda was pulled from the market because of it, doesn't mean the issue isn't a real one. And, who knows whether he knows about that or not, or why he included and didn't include the information that he did.

Chemically, sodoum phosphate is sodium phosphate is sodium phosphate. Mono-, di-, or tri- doesn't matter to me. It shouldn't be in my food.

The chemical compounds of the sodium phosphate in foods and the sodium phosphate in the "medicine" is different. They are not the same thing. I'm not saying you should eat it if you don't want to, I'm just saying you should know all the facts.

therobinator

The chemical compounds of the sodium phosphate in foods and the sodium phosphate in the "medicine" is different. They are not the same thing. I'm not saying you should eat it if you don't want to, I'm just saying you should know all the facts.

I'd love to know how so. Can you point me to the chemical formulas of each product?

therobinator

Ok, I did a little mroe poking around myself:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

Seems like the tri- is the one found in food....but given that "Trisodium phosphate (TSP, E339) is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser.....was at one time extensively used in formulations for a wide variety of consumer grade soaps and detergents, but ecological problems have largely ended that practice, at least in the western world."

Definitely don't want that in my food.....whether it's supposedly safe to ingest or not. :flowerforyou:

therobinator

I just wanted to follow up the original post with this little tidbit:

"Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption"

http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2007/12/processed-meats-declared-too-dangerous-for-human-consumption/

I am no doomsdayer nor some sort of paranoid freak, and yes I've read that "the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in meats containing sodium nitrite [occurs] when meat is charred or overcooked" but, still, this is just yet again another reason why DH and I are becoming more and more opposed to anything other than pure, WHOLE foods. Ugh. We're even going to be starting making our own bread this weekend.

dawnrenee567

it's not what they add to the lunchmeat, it's what they add to the Turkey before processing. Watch Food Inc. and you won't eat processed food again. :-)

therobinator

it's not what they add to the lunchmeat, it's what they add to the Turkey before processing. Watch Food Inc. and you won't eat processed food again. :-)

Oh believe me, I am there.

Grokette

I just wanted to follow up the original post with this little tidbit:

"Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption"

http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2007/12/processed-meats-declared-too-dangerous-for-human-consumption/

I am no doomsdayer nor some sort of paranoid freak, and yes I've read that "the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in meats containing sodium nitrite [occurs] when meat is charred or overcooked" but, still, this is just yet again another reason why DH and I are becoming more and more opposed to anything other than pure, WHOLE foods. Ugh. We're even going to be starting making our own bread this weekend.

The majority of the time I bake my husband bread........I no longer eat it. When I don't make him bread I do buy either the Ezekiel sprouted grain bread or there is a country whole grain bread at Trader Joe's that he says is wonderful. I agree as I had a slice for toast one morning a while back and it was wonderful, but the grains cause bad joint pain so I must stay away.

therobinator

The majority of the time I bake my husband bread........I no longer eat it. When I don't make him bread I do buy either the Ezekiel sprouted grain bread or there is a country whole grain bread at Trader Joe's that he says is wonderful. I agree as I had a slice for toast one morning a while back and it was wonderful, but the grains cause bad joint pain so I must stay away.

Sounds like you might have Celiac's. Have you talked to a doctor about this?

83ank

While many of you may not see this post, i had to respond. First of all, wikipedia is not a reputable resource for.information, since any joe-shmo can enter or change information. Livestrong.com is a very reliable site because there are resources from where the information.came from as well as medi al professionals that can write the articles. Theredore, never trust wikipedia before you check the resources firat. I don't evwn use tgat website anymore for information bexause it's not 100% reliable. Just some food for.thought, since this topic is about food and all.

missiontofitness

I used to work at a deli, so I might be able to provide some different ideas.

Yes, a lot of deli meats are unhealthy. Especially the cheaper stuff, like bologna or ham, generally have more of the bad stuff you don't want in it. Boar's Head was a brand we carried, and it is one of the better "high end" deli meats that you can find. I wouldn't let that one thing put you off it forever.

If you are concerned though, getting a home slicer and baking your meats at home is totally an option too. We had a house ham, turkey, and roast beef that was just as popular as the BH brand. Plus, it'll give you more control as to what's going into it, and you can customize it however you like.

oxers

To be totally honest, I'm off of deli meats and p much all kinds of preserved meats for the foreseeable future because of a weird inner-ear thing that means excess sodium is right out. I don't necessarily have a problem with food science and I'm really not into automatically throwing the baby out with the bathwater, buuut anything with enough salt to give me vertigo for three solid days probably ought not be going in my body.

neanderthin

The sky is falling, don't look up.

neanderthin

While many of you may not see this post, i had to respond. First of all, wikipedia is not a reputable resource for.information, since any joe-shmo can enter or change information. Livestrong.com is a very reliable site because there are resources from where the information.came from as well as medi al professionals that can write the articles. Theredore, never trust wikipedia before you check the resources firat. I don't evwn use tgat website anymore for information bexause it's not 100% reliable. Just some food for.thought, since this topic is about food and all.

Try and change something in wikipedia, and see where that leads........an eye opener.

neandermagnon

Ok, I did a little mroe poking around myself:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

Seems like the tri- is the one found in food....but given that "Trisodium phosphate (TSP, E339) is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser.....was at one time extensively used in formulations for a wide variety of consumer grade soaps and detergents, but ecological problems have largely ended that practice, at least in the western world."

Definitely don't want that in my food..... whether it's supposedly safe to ingest or not. :flowerforyou:

this isn't a very logical argument.... you can make drain cleaner from oranges and yes it's good drain cleaner that works really well, I've tried it (Ecover brand thing forget what it's called exactly), that doesn't mean oranges aren't safe for humans to eat. The amount and the concentration of something makes a big difference.

your stomach contains hydrocholoric acid, and hydrochloric acid is used for cleaning, descaling and also used in leather production. It's considered a hazardous chemical and comes with safety warnings in industry, labs etc. You definitely don't want that in your stomach.... oh wait, it's in there already and your stomach produces it...

neanderthin

Ok, I did a little mroe poking around myself:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

Seems like the tri- is the one found in food....but given that "Trisodium phosphate (TSP, E339) is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser.....was at one time extensively used in formulations for a wide variety of consumer grade soaps and detergents, but ecological problems have largely ended that practice, at least in the western world."

Definitely don't want that in my food..... whether it's supposedly safe to ingest or not. :flowerforyou:

this isn't a very logical argument.... you can make drain cleaner from oranges and yes it's good drain cleaner that works really well, I've tried it (Ecover brand thing forget what it's called exactly), that doesn't mean oranges aren't safe for humans to eat. The amount and the concentration of something makes a big difference.

your stomach contains hydrocholoric acid, and hydrochloric acid is used for cleaning, descaling and also used in leather production. It's considered a hazardous chemical and comes with safety warnings in industry, labs etc. You definitely don't want that in your stomach.... oh wait, it's in there already and your stomach produces it...

Not to mention phosphates are an essential nutrient.

Rocbola

Even without that particular chemical, processed meat still has nitrates and tons of sodium.

Dewymorning

Ok, I did a little mroe poking around myself:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

Seems like the tri- is the one found in food....but given that "Trisodium phosphate (TSP, E339) is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser.....was at one time extensively used in formulations for a wide variety of consumer grade soaps and detergents, but ecological problems have largely ended that practice, at least in the western world."

Definitely don't want that in my food.....whether it's supposedly safe to ingest or not. :flowerforyou:

So if I told you that I use acetic acid and sodium hydrogen carbonate as cleaning agents, and that both of these are commonly found in foods, such as baked goods, pickles, salad dressing etc. would you freak out?

neanderthin

Even without that particular chemical, processed meat still has nitrates and tons of sodium.

Nitrates are protective against heart disease and many vegetables have nitrates like beans, garlic and onions, eggplant and squash, arugula, mushrooms, celery and rhubarb and considering your slant towards a plant based diet, you should probably know this. Your welcome.

Rocbola

Ok, I did a little mroe poking around myself:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

Seems like the tri- is the one found in food....but given that "Trisodium phosphate (TSP, E339) is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser.....was at one time extensively used in formulations for a wide variety of consumer grade soaps and detergents, but ecological problems have largely ended that practice, at least in the western world."

Definitely don't want that in my food.....whether it's supposedly safe to ingest or not. :flowerforyou:

So if I told you that I use acetic acid and sodium hydrogen carbonate as cleaning agents, and that both of these are commonly found in foods, such as baked goods, pickles, salad dressing etc. would you freak out?

Acetic acid works well as a cleaner, but it smells nasty! I can't wait for summer so i can put some in my homemade pickled peppers.

BrainyBurro

zombie thread is undead.

neandermagnon

Ok, I did a little mroe poking around myself:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_phosphate
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

Seems like the tri- is the one found in food....but given that "Trisodium phosphate (TSP, E339) is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser.....was at one time extensively used in formulations for a wide variety of consumer grade soaps and detergents, but ecological problems have largely ended that practice, at least in the western world."

Definitely don't want that in my food..... whether it's supposedly safe to ingest or not. :flowerforyou:

this isn't a very logical argument.... you can make drain cleaner from oranges and yes it's good drain cleaner that works really well, I've tried it (Ecover brand thing forget what it's called exactly), that doesn't mean oranges aren't safe for humans to eat. The amount and the concentration of something makes a big difference.

your stomach contains hydrocholoric acid, and hydrochloric acid is used for cleaning, descaling and also used in leather production. It's considered a hazardous chemical and comes with safety warnings in industry, labs etc. You definitely don't want that in your stomach.... oh wait, it's in there already and your stomach produces it...

Not to mention phosphates are an essential nutrient.

yeah that too...

that made me lol

BrainyBurro

bumping and responding to threads like these is a bit like running into a former co-worker that you haven't seen in 3 years and saying, "hey Fred, do you remember that thing you told me on May 17, 2011 at 11:11AM? well, you were wrong."

michellemybelll

bumping and responding to threads like these are a bit like running into a co-worker that you haven't seen in 3 years and saying, "hey Fred, do you remember that thing you told me on May 17, 2011 at 11:11AM? well, you were wrong."

lol