As most of us have noticed, food inflation is at an all-time high. In addition to hiking prices and shrinking product sizes, some food companies have also been quietly downgrading ingredients in an effort to reduce manufacturing costs. The practice has been dubbed "skimpflation" and it has already joined inflation and “shrinkflation” in grocery stores.
"Skimpflation” is when a food manufacturer reformulates its product with cheaper ingredients," American consumer lawyer Edgar Dworsky told CTV News from Boston. "In skimpflation, you are getting less for your money." Like shrinkflation, which is when you pay the same price for a smaller product, some say the practice helps keep consumer prices down amid inflation. While keeping prices down is a needed measure, in the health industry there is cause for concern.
An example of a granola bar brand that changed its first ingredient from "milk chocolate" to something called "chocolatey coating," which includes cheaper ingredients like palm oil. Unfortunately, the first ingredients to suffer in “skimpflation” is usually the type of oil used.
Here are some reasons we should be concerned about the types of oils being used in packaged foods:
Using cheap or low-quality oils as ingredients in packaged food products can have several potential dangers and negative consequences, both for consumers and for the companies themselves. Some of the key dangers include:
1. Health Risks: Low-quality or cheap oils may be highly processed, and their use in food products can lead to an unhealthy dietary intake. These oils may be high in unhealthy trans fats, saturated fats, or other components that can contribute to inflammation leading to health issues, such as heart disease, obesity, and other diet-related illnesses to name just a few.
2. Lower Nutritional Value: Low-quality oils often lack the nutritional benefits of higher-quality oils, such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or certain nut oils. These healthier oils can provide essential nutrients and antioxidants, which are beneficial to human health. The use of cheap oils results in food products with lower nutritional value.
3. Reduced Shelf Life: Low-quality oils are more prone to oxidation and spoilage. When used in food products, they can lead to a reduced shelf life, resulting in products that go rancid or spoil more quickly.
4. Allergen Risks: Some cheap oils may not be properly labeled or sourced, potentially containing allergens that are not declared on the packaging. This can pose serious health risks to individuals with food allergies.
5. Ethical Concerns: Companies that prioritize cost-cutting by using cheap ingredients may inadvertently support unethical practices in the sourcing of these ingredients, such as exploitative labor conditions or environmental harm.
The use of cheap oils in packaged food products can have a range of negative consequences, from potential health risks for consumers to damage to a company's reputation and bottom line. Skimpflation is not new to the food industry, however, in this high food inflation time it is becoming more and more of a health concern.
So what can a health conscious food consumer do to avoid Skimpflation and not break the bank ? With EnergyGlow’s health programs, we focus on a whole foods approach. We provide menu plans, recipes with colorful photos and grocery lists all custom designed to meet your health goals and concerns. We teach you how to reduce food waste with meal prep ideas using our online tools. We are all familiar with that well intentioned drawer full of vegetables that end up rotting and getting thrown out on garbage day. But with our online meal prepping tools, you buy the foods you will use for the week, thus reducing waste. Our grocery lists can be uploaded to your favorite grocery delivery service saving you time and money.
Contact EnergyGlow Nutrition today and find out how we can help you meet your health goals while eating whole foods in a sustainable and economical way ! Book a free discovery call on our website www.energyglow.ca to learn more.
***CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR SHRIMP FETTUCINI ALFREDO & ROASTED BROCCOLI RECIPES, (click the arrow to view and download or on mobile click twice on link)***
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