Demanding Change: Putting Our Health First and Leaving Political Parties Out of It
Lately, there’s been a lot of noise about Kellogg’s and the artificial ingredients in their cereals. Vani Hari, also known as the “Food Babe,” along with other activists, are demanding that Kellogg remove these chemical additives from their products. I’m 100% behind this movement. It’s high time that we, as consumers, start holding these big food companies accountable. Why should Americans be eating food with harmful chemicals that are banned in Europe and Canada? It’s absurd, and more people need to wake up to what’s being allowed in our food supply.
Boycotting these companies is a powerful step. If a company like Kellogg wants to continue using artificial ingredients that aren’t allowed in other countries because they’re harmful, then we shouldn’t be buying from them. But here’s where things get tricky. What started as a necessary health and food safety movement seems to be taking on political undertones, and that worries me.
Let me be clear—this is not a Republican or Democrat issue. This is an American issue. This is about the health of our nation, our children, and our future. When we let politics sneak into this conversation, we blur the lines of what really matters. Food safety and the health risks of these chemicals should not be tied to any political agenda. It’s not about right or left; it’s about what’s right for everyone.
But let’s talk about the role of the government for a second. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other regulatory agencies are supposed to protect us. Their job is to ensure that the food we consume is safe. Yet, we’re seeing a huge gap between what’s allowed in U.S. food and what other countries have banned for safety reasons. It’s these very agencies that are allowing companies like Kellogg, McDonald’s, and countless others to include artificial chemicals and additives in our food—chemicals that other countries don’t allow because they’ve been deemed unsafe. Why is that?
This isn’t about one political party failing us. It’s about the system as a whole. Both Democratic and Republican administrations have allowed these issues to persist, and it’s not going to change if we start pointing fingers in one direction. The truth is that powerful food industry lobbyists have too much influence over policy. We need stronger regulations that prioritize public health over corporate profits.
People like Dr. Casey Means and her brother Calley Means are on the front lines, working to expose how processed foods are damaging our health. Casey focuses on metabolic health, while Calley, once a consultant in the pharmaceutical and food industries, is now fighting to overhaul the American healthcare system and tackle the harmful influence of Big Pharma and processed foods. They’re both doing critical work to show us what’s really going on. But when their message starts to lean toward a political side, the argument loses its strength. This isn’t about taking sides; it’s about holding the food industry and government accountable for protecting us- it’s about our health, plain and simple.
The second this issue becomes attached to a political party, it divides people. And when that happens, the conversation gets lost in the noise. We stop focusing on the core issue—unsafe food ingredients—and instead start debating who is to blame and lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s not the point. We must all be able to agree on one thing: Americans deserve better, safer food.
And it’s not just Kellogg. McDonald’s and other major food companies are using the same artificial ingredients in the U.S. that are banned elsewhere. They’re cutting corners to boost profits, and it’s our health that suffers as a result. We can’t let the political narrative distract us from this very real, very important issue.
When activists like Vani Hari call for cleaner, safer food, they should be supported by people across the board. This is about demanding better from the food industry and ensuring that our health isn’t compromised for corporate profit.
At the end of the day, we need to hold both the food industry and our government accountable. We need clearer, stronger regulations that align with international standards. We need government agencies that put our safety first instead of allowing big food companies to dictate what ends up on our plates.
This is about the health of our families, our communities, and our future generations. So, let’s keep our focus where it belongs—on the facts, on the food, and on the fight for a healthier America—no matter what side of the political fence you’re on.
This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.
In writing this blog post, I aimed to share the key points of my research in a way that is easy to read while encouraging thoughtful reflection and informed choices.
