Tanish Mittal

Have you seen the viral TikTok videos where Americans go to a different country for vacation and when they come back, some sort of terminal illness is cured or they say they feel a lot healthier? Videos like these are popping up all over the place, but what really is the difference between America and other countries when it comes to health? 

Well, one of the most important factors is food. Aside from just cultural differences, American food is quite different from food in other countries, especially in the way our food is processed. 

Food processing is changing the original state of one food to another. While food processing isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the American food industry typically over-processes food by adding refined oils, excessive amounts of sugar, and other artificial substances. Additionally, manufacturers often load the food with additives and preservatives. On the other hand, countries like Spain try to keep food processing to a minimum and unlike America, they typically rely on family-owned farmers rather than large manufacturers. That being said, it might be time to start buying our food from local farms!

 While food processing plays an extensive role in how food is different around the world, another major difference is banned ingredients. In America, the FDA allows ingredients to be put in foods that are typically banned around the world. Yikes! Surprisingly enough, these ingredients are also typically put into what we eat every day. For example, artificial coloring dyes are typically linked to hyperactivity in children, which led them to be banned all over Europe; yet they are still allowed in America. These food dyes can be found in salad dressing, candies, mac ‘n cheese, and many more common foods. 

Aside from having processed foods and using banned ingredients, America also grows and raises food differently from other countries. When handling vegetables, farmers typically overspray vegetables with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers (unlike Denmark, which is trying to reduce and regulate the use of pesticide sprays). I guess this is a sign to start washing your vegetables if you aren’t already!

Unlike Japan where people often eat raw eggs as a staple, Americans are warned that we should not eat raw eggs. This is because our eggs are washed and dried which removes a protective layer on the eggs, leading to an increased risk of Salmonella. 

Since food is such a significant factor, does this mean America should change its food industry? The short answer is yes! While the current food industry may be efficient and helpful in trying to keep the foods we receive affordable, we still need change. The food industry should stop over-processing foods and keep more regulations on ingredients that may be unhealthy to the public. We also need to find ways to both efficiently and organically grow our fruits and vegetables. While this may be hard to do and more costly, it is for the betterment of our society. With the improvement of the food industry, America will become both a healthier and happier country. After all, good food is the key to happiness!