Ann Reardon, a food blogger, debunks a viral video by Blossom that claims to reveal the truth about fake food. The video makes several false claims, including:
* Processed cheese burns when exposed to an open flame, while natural cheese melts. (Reardon shows that the difference is due to the fat content, not additives.)
* Rice is mixed with plastic bits to increase manufacturer profits. (Reardon finds no evidence to support this claim.)
* Baby food contains ground-up rocks as a source of calcium. (Reardon demonstrates that this is not true and that the video's creator likely added magnetized particles to the baby food to create a false effect.)
* Synthetic vitamins burn when heated, while natural vitamins do not. (Reardon shows that this is not a reliable test and that many factors can affect the behavior of vitamins when heated.)
* Meat glue is used to bind together steaks and other high-quality meats. (Reardon explains that meat glue is actually used to bind together lower-quality meats, such as chicken nuggets and sausages, and that it is not commonly used in steaks.)
* Ice cream contains washing powder to give it a shiny appearance. (Reardon finds no evidence to support this claim and shows that the cloudiness in ice cream can be caused by anti-caking agents.)
* Salt that contains additives makes water cloudy, while pure salt does not. (Reardon explains that the cloudiness is caused by anti-caking agents, not additives.)
* Coffee with additives sinks in water, while pure coffee floats. (Reardon shows that this is not a reliable test and that many factors can affect the behavior of coffee in water.)
* Pure spices ignite when held over a candle, while impure spices do not. (Reardon demonstrates that this is not true and that the video's creator likely used a blowtorch to create a false effect.)
Reardon argues that the video's creator is using scare tactics to create a viral video, and that the claims made in the video are not supported by evidence. She encourages viewers to be skeptical of such videos and to fact-check claims before sharing them.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The video "Is Your Food Fake?" by Blossom is being tested for its claims.
2. The video claims that processed cheese with chemicals is difficult to melt, while natural cheese melts easily.
3. The host, Ann Reardon, explains that the term "natural" is not defined by law when it comes to food labeling.
4. Additives in food are not always bad and are often used to make food more palatable.
5. The FDA in the US has been debating the definition of "natural" for years but has not yet come to a conclusion.
6. A test was conducted to see if cheese singles burn or melt when exposed to an open flame.
7. The results showed that the cheese singles do burn, but it's not because of additives, it's because of the low fat content.
8. The natural cheese had a higher fat content, which allowed it to melt and drip.
9. A test was conducted to see if baby food contains "ground up rocks" as a source of calcium.
10. The results showed that the baby food did not contain any magnetic or metallic substances.
11. A magnet was used to test if the baby food contained any metal, and it did not.
12. The host created a fake test by adding magnet pieces to the baby food to make it appear as if it contained metal.
13. The video by Blossom is accused of being misleading and creating unnecessary fear.
14. A test was conducted to see if vitamins and supplements burn or melt when exposed to heat.
15. The results showed that some vitamins and supplements do burn or melt, but it's not a reliable test for determining if they are natural or synthetic.
16. A test was conducted to see if meat glue is used in steaks and roasts.
17. The results showed that meat glue is not commonly used in steaks and roasts, but it is used in some processed meats.
18. A test was conducted to see if ice cream contains "washing powder" for shine and lightness.
19. The results showed that the rumor is likely false and that ice cream does not contain washing powder.
20. A test was conducted to see if salt is "fake" and contains chalk.
21. The results showed that the salt contained a small amount of anti-caking agent, which is not the same as chalk.
22. A test was conducted to see if coffee with additives floats or sinks in water.
23. The results showed that the test is not reliable and that there are many factors that can affect the outcome.
24. A test was conducted to see if spices can be set on fire over a candle.
25. The results showed that some spices can be set on fire, but it's not a reliable test for determining if they are natural or not.
26. The company behind the video, First Media, also owns So Yummy, which has been accused of creating fake recipes.
27. The issue of fake or misleading content on social media is a broader problem that needs to be addressed.
28. The algorithm used by social media platforms to promote content can contribute to the spread of misinformation.
29. The host calls for a solution to the problem of fake or misleading content on social media.