12. Fake Green Peas
It’s hard to believe that an innocent household vegetable like a pea would make an appearance on this list, but surprisingly, a number of fake peas have been on the rise since first reports of a similar product in 2002. According to a report by The China Daily, “The peas were an unnatural color and had a penetrating odor. After 20 minutes of cooking, the peas did not turn soft but the water turned green,” the report said.
According to the China Daily report, bags of dried snow peas and soybeans were thrown into water-filled jars. With the aid of a light green colorant and sodium metabisulfite, a food additive used as a bleach and preservative, the previously old dry peas came out plump and fresh green.
However, the use of the light green colorant is banned in farm products, since it has been strongly linked to causing cancer, the report said. Similarly, excessive intake of the sodium metabisulfite can hinder the human body’s absorption of calcium.
Dangerous additives like the ones listed above are not unique to just peas, either.