Our Tainted Food

Many years ago, Breyers Ice Cream was a "local" brand, which had started in Philadelphia and spread to surrounding states.  In a series of television commercials from the early 1980's, various consumers would stand in front of the ice cream section of a supermarket and read the ingredients from competing brands.  Eventually, they would mention "guar gum" or "carrageenan" or "locust gum".  They would then read the Breyers ingredients:  cream, milk, cane sugar, natural fruits and flavors.

The additives were put into the other brands to make them easier to mix and easier to ship.  If the other brand melted a bit on the way to the store, the consumer would not notice because the additives prevented ice crystals from forming.

Recently, I saw Breyers on the shelf in Southern California, where I now live.  I purchased some.  It made me ill.  I checked the ingredients.  Sure enough, there was "guar gum" and a few other chemicals.  The former Pledge of Purity that Breyers touted had been changed.  The carton still said "All Natural" because guar gum is, after all, a plant product and is, therefore, "natural".

There is one problem with these additives in ice cream.  They are also laxatives.  I have no objection to laxatives.  I just don't like being involuntarily dosed.  That's what made me ill.  Since I did not need to be medicated, the laxative made me ill.

Sadly, there is no brand I could locate that does not contain laxatives.  Such "premium" ice cream as Ben and Jerry's, Cold Stone Creamery, Baskin & Robbins all contain this garbage.

One would think someone would try to offer real ice cream.  In the meantime, everyone can get a little better acquainted with their plumbing after satisfying an urge for ice cream.