Courthouse News Service (CNS) reports that sodium benzoate, sodium propionate, and benzoic acid are now allowed to preserve and treat poultry and meat products.
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), was previously concerned that the preservatives would be used by major food corporations to "conceal damage or inferiority in meat and poultry," but now the agency has reversed its decision.
"This is exactly the kind of thing that distresses my customers," responds Lisa Johnson, founder and owner of Yummy Yammy, a small Vermont-based sweet potato salsa company.
"It's a matter of trust. I mean, huge companies have pushed for legislation that allows a larger number of these chemicals, and why? Because they want longer shelf life for the products, which translates directly into higher profits. Higher profits for owners, and questionable quality for you and me."
Johnson's own company, Yummy Yammy, does not use these three chemicals or any other non-food product, except citric acid as an acidifier.
"I used to make my salsas as fresh, refrigerated dips, but the shelf life was only 13 days, and I could see that I would never have a successful business that way. I had to decide: do I add sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, the way so many hummus companies do? I decided: no way. My kids and my friends were going to eat this, so I had to find another path."
For the past two years, Yummy Yammy has instead produced its salsas using a hot-pack process into glass jars, like other jarred salsas made of tomato. By doing so, the salsas don't need preservatives or refrigeration.
"I know companies need to make a profit -- so do I. But," warns Johnson, "it should never come at the expense of the health of your customers. So there's a whole list of preservatives and chemicals that Yummy Yammy won't use. A lot of us in the natural and specialty food industry know you can always find a better way, if your customers' health is primary."
About Yummy Yammy
Yummy Yammy produces the world's only sweet potato salsa. All our superfood salsas are made with 100% pure flame-roasted sweet potato as the main ingredient instead of tomato. We are a Vermont company delightfully bringing sweet potatoes to the nation.
