When the food delivery service Instacart first announced that they were using frozen food boxes to ship their deliveries, many people were alarmed. Why? Because this type of packaging has been linked to environmental problems like deforestation and climate change. In this article, we’ll explore the environmental concerns around frozen food boxes, and explain how you can help make a difference.
What Frozen Food is Ingredient-laden?
In recent years, frozen food boxes have become more common. They are often cheaper than grocery store produce, and they are believed to be healthier because they do not contain added sugar or fat. However, frozen food boxes can be dangerous for some people because they are often ingredient-laden.
Some of the ingredients in frozen food boxes can be potentially harmful to your health. For example, one frozen food box may contain unhealthy fats and sugar. These ingredients can increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, and other health problems. In addition, many frozen food boxes contain unhealthy additives, such as sodium benzoate and sulphites. These additives can cause allergies and other health problems.
If you are concerned about the ingredients in frozen food boxes, it is important to read the labels carefully. You may also want to avoid these products altogether if you are concerned about your health.
How to Avoid Frozen Food Boxes
There’s no need to worry about frozen food boxes, especially if you’re living a healthy lifestyle. Here are some tips on how to avoid them:
- Scan the ingredients list before buying. Make sure all of the ingredients in the food box are healthy and natural.
- Avoid processed foods. These foods can often be filled with unhealthy additives and preservatives. Eat instead foods that have been cooked from scratch or foods that have been preserved using natural methods such as dehydration or canning.
- Opt for local, organic, and fresh foods whenever possible. These options tend to be healthier and more flavorful than frozen food boxes.
- Keep a food inventory of what you’ve already eaten and what’s available for future meals. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s in your diet and which items are best avoided due to their high sugar content or other undesirable qualities.
The Danger of Frozen Food Contamination
There is a lot of talk these days about food contamination. And with good reason- it’s a serious problem. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foodborne illness results in ~48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths each year in the United States.
One of the reasons foodborne illness is so dangerous is that it can spread rapidly through populations. For example, Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis which is an infection of the central nervous system or the heart. This bacteria can also cause abortion and stillbirth. Listeriosis outbreaks have been linked to foods like cantaloupe, deli meats and cold cuts, as well as vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes.
The other big concern when it comes to food safety is contaminants like pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites. Pathogenic bacteria can cause severe infections such as salmonella, E coli O157:H7 and shigella. Viruses like norovirus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and fever; while parasites like Giardia lamblia can cause chronic gastrointestinal issues like bloating and discomfort.
The bottom line is that food safety is a top priority
Conclusion
In the wake of reports about custom frozen food boxes being containing food products that have been recalled, many people are concerned about what they are eating. I wanted to take a moment and address some of the questions that I’m seeing floating around social media and elsewhere. First, it’s important to understand that while Food Recall Network (FRN) is working with suppliers to fix this issue, not all frozen food companies will be affected by this problem at the same time. Second, quantities per box may seem high when looking at a single image or video clip circulating online, but once you break down the ingredients in these boxes it’s not as bad as it seems. Third, while we would like nothing more than for all recalls to be fixed so we can start enjoying our meals without worry, we must remember that there are sometimes unforeseen risks associated with food production and things do happen during distribution which can lead to product recall. In short: yes – frozen food boxes should definitely cause concern for anyone who is watching their intake closely, but don’t let one isolated incident scare you off from eating healthy meals altogether!
