Citation required. I want to see these "studies." They don't exist. Many of these ingredients have been grandfathered in. The assumption being that since no one has provably dropped dead from having eaten them that they do not cause harm. The term is GRAS, Generally Recognized As Safe. An increasing body of these GRAS ingredients have come under suspicion as of late, some provably show to cause harm.
Regarding GMOs, Monsanto and co. prevent ANYONE from testing their seeds. Farmers are contractually obligated put them into the dirt or destroy/return them. Researches are not allowed access. Government bodies do not require independent testing. They are allowed to vouch that their products are safe and we're just supposed to trust them. A common genetic modification is to cause the plant to produce its own pesticide. Specifically Bt-toxin a neat little compound that works by eating holes in the digestive track. Even if we're not immediately dropping dead by this stuff, we're ingesting some pretty f'ed up stuff. GI inflammation continues to receive interest as a contributor to a significant number of health problems. Are these GMO plants contributing? Difficult to tell since there's no mandate for independent safety studies.
It is strangely coincidental that we are experiencing unprecedented health problems, unheard of allergies, whose timeline track rather closely with the inclusion of these so-called GRAS ingredients and GMO crops. I am far too cynical to believe that the calorie companies have my best interest at heart over their own profit. I also seem to recall the tobacco industry telling us similar tales. I will not take their word for it. These ingredients and plant modifications should be subject to same rigor as medications have to prove their safety.
