The latest news on the toxic chemical hexane is coming out of China this week with 4 workers reportedly died from work hexane exposure at the United Win iPod factory at which they worked.

Nutiva has been a leader in the organic food world alerting people to the dangers of hexane for both workers and consumers, and was one of the first brands to label its products non-hexane.  We look forward to a day when hexane is banned from food production altogether.

Many well-known food brands offer soy-based products that are processed with hexane.

Such brands include Clif, Luna, Kashi, Silk, Nature’s Way, Bragg’s,  and Genisoy, to name just a few.

Listen to this explosive YouTube Health Ranger Mike Adams  on hexane HERE.

From WIKIpedia: In the industry, hexanes are used in the formulation of glues for shoes, leather products, and roofing. They are also used to extract cooking oils from seeds, for cleansing and degreasing all sorts of items, and in textile manufacturing.

In today’s market 60% of the food commericaily available contains some form of soy.  Consumers need to know where the soy is hidden in such common items as prepared frozen foods, sauces, seasoning mixes and salad dressings.

Here are five quick and simple substitutes for products containing soy.

1.  Instead of using vegetable oil – which often contains soy oil as part of the mix – use olive, safflower, or coconut oil.

2.  Use real butter instead of margarine, butter substitutes or shortening, all of which contain soybean oil.

3.  Many microwave meals – including seasoned frozen vegetables – particularly those in a sauce, contain soybean oil.  Instead buy fresh/or unprocessed frozen vegetables.

4.  Instead of canned soups try using Kitchen Basics brand broth, which contains no soy.

5.  If you buy jarred tomato sauce. Buy organic brands – most do not contain soybean oil – but always read the label to be sure.

6.  Instead of purchasing pre-packaged seasoning mixes, which can contain soy, get creative and blend your own spices. For example, to prepare steamed or grilled vegetables, use olive oil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. Add a little salt and pepper – voila!

I have an alergy to the sun and I am also hypothyroid with Hashimoto’s disease.   My dermatologist has prescribed a supplement to prepare my skin and protect it from the sun.  The supplement contains soy bean oil (without GMO) and soy lecithin.  The Soy bean oil is the second ingredient listed on the box which means there is a lot.  Is this supplement safe for me to take?

Congressional and Public Affairs

(202) 720-9113
Peggy Riek

WASHINGTON, November 4, 2009 – Curly’s Food, Inc., a Sioux City, Iowa, establishment,
is recalling approximately 12,181 pounds of roast beef deli products
because they were inadvertently mislabeled and contain an undeclared allergen,
soy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety
and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
Soy is a known potential allergen, which is not declared on the label.

The following product is subject to recall:

Cases containing two (2) various size weight deli-faced pieces of “Healthy Ones,
Medium Cooked Roast Beef, 97% Fat Free, No Fillers, No Artificial Flavors,
Lower Sodium” in vacuum packaged bags. Each package bears a use by date
of “01/03/2010″ or “01/10/2010,” a case code of “30900-17856″ as well as the establishment number “EST. 15878″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The roast beef deli products were produced on October 5 and 12, 2009, and were distributed to retail-type delicatessens and Department of
Defense Commissaries in California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland,
Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

The problem was discovered by the company following a product check.
FSIS has received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption
of these products. Anyone concerned about an allergic reaction
should contact a physician.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling
firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to
make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company Consumer Hotline at 1-800-722-1127.

I watched a news story about a woman who was so tired all the time and having mood swings for five years before she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism! Now of course, she is on medication (I hope it’s not the medication that contains soy!) Do you think she knows what to look for on the ingredient labels in the food she consumes that may contain soy or soy derivatives? And, what about any vitamin supplements she is taking?

Everyone who visits this blog knows I developed a severe soy allergy. Since I have been off soy for  over five years now, I have never felt better, and still maintain my normal weight.

Here’s a review on what ingredients you need to beware of on the labels:

Food processors don’t always list “soy” instead you see labels with “textured vegetable protein” (TVP), “textured plant protein”, “hydrolyzed vegetable protein” (HVP), “vegetable oil” or “MSG” (monosodium glutamate). Other ingredients to watch out for are “lecithin”, “vegetable broth”, “boullion”, “natural flavorings” (unless flavors are listed).

Keep in mind that manufacturers can switch the ingredients used in food products without warning. So again, be sure to read the labels.

Vitamins, over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions may contain soy. Beware of pills with soy oil bases, Vitamin E derived from soy oil, and soy components such as isoflavones The inhaler Atrovent is just one of many drug-store products containing soy.

Soy inks, paints, plastics, carpets, mattresses, cars, etc. are just a few of the industrial products that may be green for the environment but deadly for highly allergic persons.Some bakeries have soy dust floating in the air, and also bulk bins aisle of your health food stores. Now it is clear to me why I don’t like the smell of baked goods on premises in the grocery stores, and the deli sections that cook the rotisserie chickens (cooked with soybean oil).

I would like to see you take the challenge and remove soy from your diet for a month, and let me know if you don’t feel better. I bet that you will!

MIAMI (CBS4) –

For years, nutritionists have touted the health benefits of soy. But now some believe this protein alternative could present a real danger since it is found in a large number of foods we eat.

Click to see interview… http://cbs4.com/health/soy.toxins.products.2.896320.html

Is it any wonder? A soycoffee manufacturer wants to petition the FDA about requiring the coffee companies to list the mg in a cup of coffee. Could you imagine if I died in the hospital (I drink a lot of coffee) and the autopsy showed caffeine overdose and NOT food poisoning? When in fact, it was a soy allergy! “So many hidden forms of caffeine exist,” says Kushner, “from baked goods, frozen dairy products, gelatins, puddings, analgesics and even lipstick!” She probably isn’t aware of the hidden soy ingredients in the products listed, that I believe causes the problems.I’m going to recommend Marina read my book! I believe soy is more dangerous than caffeine. To read more go to: http://canthigasterrostrata4.blogspot.com/2008/10/woman-dies-from-caffeine-overdose-and.html Marina Kushner is the founder of the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, the first non-profit organization dedicated solely to educating consumers about the dangers of caffeine intoxication. She is a reformed coffee drinker, leading investigative journalist and speaker. She is president of Soy Coffee, LLC, makers of the popular caffeine-free coffee substitute “Soyfee”, which is made from soybeans. Certified organic, its brewed just like coffee and comes in 8 delicious flavors like hazelnut, mocha, french vanilla & house blend.