[Janelle Ward]

We’re a nation of Vegemite lovers, and if that’s not your favourite spread, then it’s probably peanut butter. If that is the case, you should check if your preferred brand of peanut butter is in a plastic or glass jar.
A US author and researcher is warning shoppers against buying peanut butter in plastic, claiming it’s “among the most toxic foods out there”.
Tamara Rubin is known for her work in testing consumer goods for poisons. Her research into vintage kitchenware and children’s toys found that some contained concerning levels of lead and arsenic.
Now she says that the way peanut butter is processed means it should never be stored in plastic, Channel Seven reports.
“Most of the peanut butter on the grocery store shelves (even in many ‘natural foods’ stores) already contains pesticide and/or fungicide residues, tons of sugar and a host of other additives,” she says.
“Peanut butter must also be heated to flow through the machinery for it to be quickly, easily and consistently poured into jars.
“The concern is that the now hot oils/fats in the peanut butter help the plasticisers (in the plastic jars and lids) leach into the food, and along with all the other chemical residues and additives, make for an incredibly toxic product.”
Is your favourite brand in plastic or glass? If it’s in plastic will your change?

[David Watherston]

Not only is Bega Peanut Butter sold in a plastic container but more alarming, it contains less than 10 per cent Australian ingredients which probably means that the bulk of the peanuts used come from Asia (notorious for having high levels of cadmium). On our last visit to Kingaroy, the farms were planted with an abundance of peanuts. Australian peanuts are world best but probably not the CHEAPEST. It’s all about profit, isn’t it?

[Author]

Posts