Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one reason consumers choose organic foods?
What is one reason consumers choose organic foods?
What is a potential health concern associated with chlorpyrifos?
What is a potential health concern associated with chlorpyrifos?
Which method is NOT used in genetic engineering to alter an organism's traits?
Which method is NOT used in genetic engineering to alter an organism's traits?
Which regulatory body is NOT involved in the oversight of genetically modified foods?
Which regulatory body is NOT involved in the oversight of genetically modified foods?
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How long have genetically modified foods been available?
How long have genetically modified foods been available?
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What does high food security indicate about a household's food access?
What does high food security indicate about a household's food access?
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Which of the following describes very low food security?
Which of the following describes very low food security?
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What percentage of the U.S. population lives at or below the poverty guidelines?
What percentage of the U.S. population lives at or below the poverty guidelines?
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What is a common strategy used by households facing food insecurity?
What is a common strategy used by households facing food insecurity?
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Which statement best describes marginal food security?
Which statement best describes marginal food security?
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What do food deserts commonly limit?
What do food deserts commonly limit?
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What might low food security indicate about a household's diet?
What might low food security indicate about a household's diet?
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Which of the following is an indicator of food insecurity?
Which of the following is an indicator of food insecurity?
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What is the primary government program in the U.S. that assists families with food purchasing?
What is the primary government program in the U.S. that assists families with food purchasing?
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Which of the following is NOT a charitable hunger relief program in the U.S.?
Which of the following is NOT a charitable hunger relief program in the U.S.?
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In developing countries, which group is most likely to experience food insecurity?
In developing countries, which group is most likely to experience food insecurity?
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Which factor is NOT mentioned as a cause of food shortages and famine?
Which factor is NOT mentioned as a cause of food shortages and famine?
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What is one effect of famine on society?
What is one effect of famine on society?
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What is a significant contributor to food waste in the U.S.?
What is a significant contributor to food waste in the U.S.?
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Which program specifically targets food needs of women, infants, and children in the U.S.?
Which program specifically targets food needs of women, infants, and children in the U.S.?
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How much food, approximately, is lost globally?
How much food, approximately, is lost globally?
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What is required by the mandatory labeling law for GM foods?
What is required by the mandatory labeling law for GM foods?
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Which of the following is NOT a concern associated with genetically modified foods?
Which of the following is NOT a concern associated with genetically modified foods?
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Why are cloned animals not considered genetically modified?
Why are cloned animals not considered genetically modified?
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What is the purpose of food preservation methods?
What is the purpose of food preservation methods?
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Which technique is a newer method of food preservation?
Which technique is a newer method of food preservation?
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What labeling requirement is associated with irradiated food?
What labeling requirement is associated with irradiated food?
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Which of the following statements is correct regarding food irradiation?
Which of the following statements is correct regarding food irradiation?
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Nanotechnology deals with matter at which level?
Nanotechnology deals with matter at which level?
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What is a primary concern regarding nonorganic nanoparticles in food?
What is a primary concern regarding nonorganic nanoparticles in food?
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Which of the following is NOT a purpose of intentional food additives?
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of intentional food additives?
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What is a common function of food nanosensors in packaging?
What is a common function of food nanosensors in packaging?
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Which of the following additives is classified as an incidental food additive?
Which of the following additives is classified as an incidental food additive?
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Why is the dosage critical when evaluating the toxicity of food additives?
Why is the dosage critical when evaluating the toxicity of food additives?
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What is a significant risk associated with Bisphenol A (BPA)?
What is a significant risk associated with Bisphenol A (BPA)?
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Which type of food additives are most commonly found in processed foods?
Which type of food additives are most commonly found in processed foods?
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What can be concluded about the comparative ingestion of natural versus synthetic toxins?
What can be concluded about the comparative ingestion of natural versus synthetic toxins?
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Study Notes
Food Insecurity in the US
- The USDA monitors food insecurity levels in the US households based on food access issues or limitations.
- There are four levels of food security:
- High: No food access issues
- Marginal: 1-2 food access limitations, often associated with anxiety about food in the household, but little to no diet changes.
- Low: Reduced food quality, variety, and desirability, but little to no reduced food intake.
- Very Low: Multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns, and reduced food intake.
Food Security in the Developing World
- Food insecurity is prevalent in rural areas of developing nations due to factors such as unemployment and reliance on subsistence farming.
- Poor-quality farmland and health issues arising from food insecurity limit farmers' capacity and productivity, leading to food shortages and famine.
- Natural disasters, war, and political unrest can exacerbate food insecurity.
- Famine disrupts all aspects of life: increasing disease and death rates, job losses, poverty, crime, civil war, and government corruption.
- Economic development and improved local agricultural productivity are vital for reducing poverty and ensuring households have increased access to food and income.
Food Waste
- Approximately one-third of all food produced globally is lost, and around 40% of food is wasted in the United States.
Genetically Modified Foods
- Genetic engineering allows scientists to alter an organism’s DNA to create desired traits, such as disease resistance.
- The three most common methods are:
- Selective breeding
- Mutagenesis
- Genetic modification (GM) through recombinant DNA technology. GM foods are regulated by the FDA, USDA, and EPA.
- GM Foods have been available for over 40 years, with the FDA evaluating all GM foods and finding them safe for consumption.
- In 2016, a mandatory labeling law was implemented requiring identification of all GM foods using text, a symbol, or a digital link.
Food Safety Concerns with Genetically Modified Foods
- Concerns exist about the safety of GM foods.
- These include:
- Production of new allergens or toxins
- Development of glyphosate-resistant “superweeds”
- Cross-species lines
- “Gene flow” from GM crops to unintended plants
- Development of Bacillus thuringiensis-resistant insects
- Loss of genetic diversity
- Loss of cultural heritage with older, native foods
- Insufficient regulation
- Development of trade barriers
- New herbicide (and/or pesticide) residues from new types of crop exposures
Food Preservation and Processing
- Numerous food preservation methods extend a food’s shelf life and ensure availability year-round.
- Examples of food preservation methods include:
- Drying
- Salting
- Sugaring
- Smoking
- Fermenting
- Pasteurization
- Sterilization
- Canning
- Aseptic processing
- Refrigeration
- Freezing
- Nitrogen packing
- Food irradiation
- Food additives.
Food Irradiation
- Food irradiation uses radiation to extend shelf life, control insects, and eliminate pathogens.
- It does not make food radioactive; the FDA has approved food irradiation for safety.
- Irradiated food must be labeled with the Radura symbol.
Food Nanotechnology
- Nanotechnology investigates controlling matter at the atomic or molecular level.
- Nanoparticles can:
- Brighten food
- Increase shelf life
- Reduce fat content
- Enhance vitamin bioavailability
- Food nanosensors in packaging can improve safety, but the FDA does not have a universal stance on the safety of non-organic nanoparticles.
Food Additives
- Food additives are substances added to food to enhance nutrition, freshness, safety, and aesthetics.
- Over 10,000 substances are classified as food additives.
Intentional Food Additives
- Added to food for specific purposes:
- Longer shelf life
- Greater nutritional value
- More appealing color or flavor
- The most common additives are flavors and flavor enhancers, over 2,600 in use.
Incidental Food Additives
- These additives are incorporated into food through growth, processing, packaging, transport, or storage.
- Examples of incidental food additives in food include:
- Pesticides
- Arsenic
- Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupter linked to several health problems (Liver and pancreatic damage, thyroid dysfunction, increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes).
Synthetic versus Natural Additives
- The toxicity of a substance depends on its effects in the body, rather than being synthesized in a lab.
- Dosage is significant. For example, table salt can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.
- Many plants contain natural toxins that are more potent than synthetic additives.
- Some cancer researchers suggest that we ingest at least 10,000 times more natural toxins than synthetic additives or pesticides.
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Description
Explore the complexities of food insecurity both in the United States and across developing nations. This quiz highlights the different levels of food security and the contributing factors, including socioeconomic conditions and natural disasters. Understand the impacts of food access issues on households and communities globally.
