10 Fake Foods That You Will NEVER Eat Again

Dr. Eric Berg 12/23/2024

Have you ever wondered if the food you're eating is actually real? With the prevalence of processed food, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by fake food ingredients.

This isn't just about obscure chemicals; it's about everyday foods masquerading as something they're not. Let's explore this together.

This isn't a conspiracy theory. Fake food ingredients are a real issue, impacting our health and wallets. Today, we'll uncover some of the most common culprits, empowering you to make informed choices at the grocery store.

This information is your guide to the often-confusing world of food. Our goal is to help you not just survive, but thrive.

Deceptive Dishes: Unmasking Fake Food Ingredients

Let's discuss "restructured" foods, like that perfect-looking steak. Some restaurants and caterers use meat glue (transglutaminase) to combine smaller cuts of meat into a larger one.

This practice raises concerns about food poisoning due to increased handling.

Fake Steak

The production process of meat glue often lacks transparency. Early methods involved cow or pig blood plasma and bacteria. Later, fermentation created the enzymes.

Today, it’s more of a mystery. The current ingredients aren’t usually disclosed. So, the next time you order filet mignon, consider asking about meat glue.

Imitation Parmesan Cheese

Think you're enjoying real Parmesan? Unless it's imported from Parma, Italy, it's likely a blend of cheaper cheeses. These imitations usually mix cheddar, powdered mozzarella, and other low-cost options.

It’s a common counterfeit designed to boost profits. The use of beet sugar instead of cane sugar is yet another example of food fraud.

Processed Crab Sticks

Imitation crab meat, or surimi, consists of leftover fish parts, starch (potato, wheat, corn, or tapioca), and MSG. Artificial crab flavoring, sugar, preservatives like sodium benzoate, and dyes mask the true nature of this product.

It’s another example of common counterfeit foods. Ironically, some imitation crab products even add “crab” flavor.

Fish and shellfish

Fishy Business: Seafood Secrets Exposed

Let’s talk about tuna salad. While tuna is a popular choice, imposters lurk in some canned and packaged tuna products.

An Oceana study found that some products contained no tuna, possibly mislabeled as red snapper. Many contained a different fish banned in Japan for its effect on digestive health.

Fake Tuna

Escolar, a fish resembling tuna, is sometimes passed off as such. Look out for unusually white tuna—that’s a red flag. Escolar has earned the nickname ‘ex-lax fish’, hinting at potential consequences.

Tuna and escolar do share a similar appearance; escolar is white, slightly translucent, and flaky, much like tuna. But exceptionally white, opaque escolar is definitely not tuna. Be aware of this substitution and its potential side effects.

Mislabeling occurs more readily with foods involving complex farming and harvesting. Escolar grows quickly, while some tuna require specific farming to reach a certain size.

Some companies choose the quicker, cheaper route, labeling escolar as tuna while hiding the true name in fine print.

Fish fraud like this poses a risk of food poisoning if the fish used isn’t safe to eat. This deception is not just dishonest but potentially dangerous.

Fish fraud affects consumers following the Mediterranean diet, which recommends healthy unsaturated fats from fish like tuna. Many people eating fake tuna don’t benefit from the intended nutritional value.

Sweet and Savory Fakes

Even sweet treats aren't safe from ingredient manipulation. Sometimes, manufacturers add artificial flavors or textures using artificial sweeteners.

While these may initially raise health concerns, they can become illegal if they don’t meet food safety and quality regulations for distribution.

Food additives have also been linked to various health issues, like increased blood sugar levels and heart disease.

Fake Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is a frequent target for deceptive practices. Many bottles labeled "extra virgin" contain blends of refined oils or even sunflower oil. True extra virgin olive oil should be cold-pressed to retain its antioxidants.

Real extra virgin olive oil has a distinct grassy, fresh taste with a throat tickle. It maintains its flavor and nutrients only under proper conditions. If "olive oil" contains ingredients besides olives, it likely tastes rancid, spoiled, or just “off.”

Be cautious of sunflower oil treated to resemble olive oil extra. Consumers might believe they are buying pure olive oil, while some bottles actually contain a majority of sunflower or other vegetable oils.

Olive oil extra should have a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) certification, which helps prevent food fraud.

Maple Syrup Imposters

Looking for pure maple syrup? Scrutinize the ingredients. Real maple syrup contains only natural maple extract. Avoid those with high fructose corn syrup or artificial coloring.

Most fake syrups contain gums and other sugars instead. This is yet another way honey laundering and food fraud impact consumers seeking natural ingredients.

Buying local, especially from farms that harvest their own maple syrup, is often a good way to reduce your risk of encountering fake syrup.

The Wasabi Deception

Unless you're dining in regions known for fresh Wasabi, like parts of Japan, you’ve likely tasted horseradish and food dye. Genuine wasabi requires specific growing conditions.

Cultivating authentic Wasabi is challenging and expensive. Producers of fake Wasabi often use hot horseradish and mustard, capitalizing on the easier cultivation of horseradish.

This blend recreates the flavor of real Wasabi after its natural intensity fades (about fifteen minutes after preparation). Real Wasabi has health benefits but is challenging to keep fresh, similar to some tuna varieties.

Some unscrupulous retailers engage in this fake food tactic to enhance profit margins, taking advantage of the fact that real Wasabi spoils quickly and can be challenging for most restaurants to stock regularly.

Since most consumers in regions like North America and Europe have only tasted the imitation, they may never know the real thing.

Buying and grating your own fresh Wasabi is usually a guarantee of the product's quality and freshness, and this practice will certainly avoid ingredients not related to the plant.

Woman looking at the ingredient label

Spotting Fake Foods: Tips and Tricks

How can you avoid fake food ingredients? Several methods offer peace of mind when determining the authenticity of food, whether at a restaurant, market, or supermarket.

Recognizing signs and learning to check labels will greatly reduce your risk of getting tricked by counterfeit foods.

Fake Guacamole

Guacamole is another target. Some store-bought versions contain as little as 2% avocado, filled with skim milk, vegetable oil, emulsifiers, gums, gels, and food dyes.

That’s more of an avocado-flavored pudding. Real guacamole is, of course, primarily avocado. This misrepresentation misleads consumers who are looking for a healthy and fresh dip.

Truffle Oil Troubles

Truffle mushrooms are expensive, making truffle oil susceptible to imitation. Like some seafood, maintaining freshness and avoiding spoilage is difficult, leading to substitutions.

Authentic truffle mushrooms have a distinct flavor very close to their infused oil. Cheaper versions replace the real ingredient with flavorings.

There are clear indicators to help you determine whether the dish used genuine ingredients or cheaper substitutes.

The Instant Coffee Conundrum

Some instant coffee includes cheap fillers and added flavoring. Others contain higher levels of acrylamide than regular brewed coffee. The quicker the coffee is made, the higher the potential risk.

This high level of acrylamide may pose a variety of health effects that you wouldn’t experience with other, less processed, coffees.

Be sure to read labels and see exactly how your coffee was made. You’re buying instant coffee for the convenience, but there can be an added health risk with some versions.

How Fake Ingredients Can Kick You Out of Ketosis

Understanding what kicks you out of ketosis is essential for maintaining a state of fat-burning. Many fake food ingredients, such as hidden sugars, artificial sweeteners, and processed additives, can spike insulin levels and disrupt ketosis.

Reading labels carefully and opting for whole, unprocessed foods can help you stay on track. Prioritizing real nutrition over fake substitutes ensures your ketogenic journey remains effective and sustainable.

Conclusion

Fake food ingredients are a serious concern, potentially harming our health and wallets. This exploration of common fake foods should help you make healthier choices.

You're now equipped to identify imposters and savor the genuine flavors of real food. By being mindful of these common fake food ingredients, you’re protecting yourself and enjoying real food as it’s meant to be enjoyed.

FAQs about fake food ingredients

What foods have artificial ingredients?

Many processed foods contain artificial ingredients, including colors, flavors, preservatives, and sweeteners. Examples include candies, sodas, snacks, and packaged meals. Careful label reading helps you identify these additives.

What is an example of a fake food?

Imitation crab meat is a prime example. It's made from minced fish, starch, flavorings, and colorings, imitating the look and taste of real crab. Numerous other "fake foods" exist, mimicking pricier ingredients.

How to identify fake food products?

Look for suspiciously low prices, long ingredient lists with unfamiliar names, and vague descriptions. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Additionally, research and verify the authenticity of ingredients in recipes. Check labels carefully and stick to reputable retailers that don’t have a history of intentionally leaving important information out.

What is the most counterfeited food?

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the most counterfeited foods worldwide. Often, less expensive oils are mixed in, diminishing quality and health benefits.

Knowing which authentic ingredients belong in recipes helps avoid disappointment. Avoiding fakes and using real ingredients enhance a dish’s unique flavor.

Some counterfeit food items try to mimic pure olive oil with other vegetable oils or even grape juice for coloring.