The United States currently ranks among the leaders of the free world in various quality-of-life metrics; however, it faces significant challenges in the realm of food safety. One prominent issue is the nation's obesity rate, which is considerably higher than that of other developed countries. While it may be tempting to attribute this disparity solely to the higher food consumption among Americans compared to their European counterparts, this assumption does not hold up under scrutiny.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that the average American consumes approximately 2,550 calories per day, while the average European consumes about 2,500 calories—a negligible difference. Despite this small discrepancy in caloric intake, the obesity rate in the United States approaches 40 percent, while it hovers around 20 percent in Europe, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This suggests that the issue extends beyond mere caloric consumption to encompass the quality of the food itself.

A key area of concern is the ingredients permitted in food products. The United States permits the use of over 50 food additives that have been banned in the European Union (EU) due to their potential health risks. For instance, Red 40, a widely used food dye found in products such as candy and soda, has been linked to hyperactivity in children through several studies. Consequently, the EU mandates warning labels on products containing this dye, whereas in the U.S., no such labeling requirement exists, and consumers often overlook ingredient lists. Another notable example is potassium bromate, a flour additive that enhances bread rising. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies potassium bromate as a possible carcinogen, having demonstrated carcinogenic effects in animal studies. Despite its ban in the EU, the U.S. continues to permit its use in bread without restrictions. The failure to restrict these potentially harmful ingredients, among dozens of others, endangers public health; the EU has taken decisive action, and the U.S. should consider implementing similar, if not more stringent, regulations.

Furthermore, the issue of microplastics poses an additional health risk. Recent studies have identified microplastics in the bloodstreams of a significant number of Americans. These tiny plastic particles originate from the degradation of larger plastic items such as water bottles, plastic wrap, and resealable bags, all commonly used in food packaging and transportation. Once ingested, microplastics can circulate in the bloodstream and accumulate in organs, potentially causing inflammation, DNA damage, and even cancer. Alarmingly, microplastics have also been detected in the semen of American men, raising concerns about their implications for fertility and reproductive health. The declining testosterone levels and reduced birth rates observed in American men may be partially attributed to this issue. In contrast, the EU has taken proactive measures to limit and, in some cases, eliminate the use of single-use plastics and microbeads, reflecting a commitment to public health that the U.S. urgently needs to adopt. The presence of microplastics in human blood and semen should serve as a critical wake-up call for American policymakers, yet there has been minimal action to address this emerging threat.

It is imperative that these issues be addressed. The American public deserves better, and current conditions are unacceptable. Any political party that genuinely prioritizes this matter may face resistance from large corporations and vested interests; perhaps it's time to fight back with an equally large government to protect our most valuable asset: our people.

‍