Why is Trisodium Phosphate in Our Food?

(Originally posted on Mar 25, 2013)

Using the example of Banana Nut Cheerios, let’s just forget for a minute that there are GMO ingredients in this cereal.  And let’s also forget that it contains A LOT of sugar…check this out:

• Sugar
• Brown Sugar Syrup
• Corn Syrup

…and if that wasn’t enough sugar, it also has

• Dried Corn Syrup

(Yeah…“Heart Healthy Cereal” …wink- wink)

So besides all that sugar, could someone please explain to me why this cereal contains Trisodium Phosphate? And it’s not just limited to this cereal; in fact, it is found in many other cereals and other types of food as well!

Per the Website In R Food, Trisodium Phosphate has the potential for the following adverse health effects:

“The FDA claims that Trisodium phosphate in certain amounts is not a risk in food, but some reports and agencies have deemed it a hazardous substance. The Clean Water Act has taken steps to limit the use of TSP in cleaning supplies because it damages the environment. Phosphates are required of the human body, however trisodium phosphate is an inorganic chemical phosphate. There are other organic sources of necessary phosphates that are proven to be safe and beneficial for consumption.

TSP has not been proven to be toxic to humans as a food additive, but has shown to be severely irritating to the gastric mucosa unless part of a buffered solution. Trisodium phosphate may reduce accumulation of lactic acid in muscles. Excess intake of TSP may produce an imbalance of minerals that lead to loss of calcium from bone and a calcification of the kidneys. The daily limit of trisodium phosphate is recommended to be 70mg. TSP consumed as part of a Western junk food diet sometimes reaches upwards of 500mg, which leads to an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.”

So the FDA states that Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) is “Not a risk in food”, yet on the website PAN Pesticides Database – Chemicals it clearly states to “Avoid all Contact”!

You may be interested in knowing that TSP is also found in:

• Processed meat products
• Processed cheeses
• Many canned soups
• Acts as a leavening agent in many commercial cakes and baked goods

As well as:

• Toothpaste
• Whitening Toothpaste
• Baby Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Hair coloring and bleaching agents

When you think about all of the health problems in this country, and what the FDA allows in our food, you can’t help but wonder if there is a purposeful connection.

What do you think?

Update: It appears that as of 2017, Banana Nut Cheerios have been discontinued…per Cheerios replying to disappointed customers,

“We’re so sorry for the disappointment!

Sometimes products aren’t as successful as we anticipate, and so ultimately, we have to make the decision to discontinue them. 

We’ll make sure to let our product team know how much you miss them.

Thank you!”

Hmmmmm…..interesting!  😉

Resources

• Trisodium Phosphate in Toothpaste Guide
• PAN Pesticides Database – Chemicals
• Ingredient Information Trisodium Phosphate
• Banana Nut Cheerios

Dr. Michelle Kmiec

is a board-certified Chiropractic Physician and Life Coach who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, and a minor in Medical Research. She is a life-long athlete who after curing herself 100% naturally from MS and anxiety, became an avid nutrition health researcher/promoter.

She has been featured in many Health magazines and has been a guest on radio talk shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is the author of Health Freedom Revolution: Exposing the Lies, Deceit and Greed of the Medical Profession, Founder of Online Holistic Health, and a contributing writer for other popular informative health website/blogs.

She is the host of Holistic Health Radio – where she discusses how she recovered her health as well as other hot health topics, and she is also co-founder of Crazy Meets Common Sense! –  The Podcast that Makes Sense Out of the Crazy, to Help You Live a More Healthy, Fulfilling and Empowering Life!