US food additives banned in EU. Expert says "almost certainly" making US sick

Re:US food additives banned in EU. Expert says "almost certa... by not_kurt_godel on Tuesday February 21, 2023 @10:23AM (#34882134)

I don't see how a monopoly or not changes this much if the additive makes the product more profitable and people aren't generally aware of its existence or potential harm. Why is manipulating a rube goldberg machine of market economics - that will, by definition, still lead to a significant number of people consuming a harmful substance if it even 'works' at all - better than simply banning additives outright?

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Re:US food additives banned in EU. Expert says "almost certa... by bsder on Tuesday February 21, 2023 @07:55PM (#34890035)

> I don't see how a monopoly or not changes this much if the additive makes the product more profitable

If there is robust competition, I can vote with my wallet. At that point, compromising quality for a fraction of a penny isn't worthwhile to a smaller manufacturer.

I would very much like to buy France-level bread every day in the US. I, however, cannot because that tiny producer cannot compete with the monopolies--they can't get volume discounts; they can't automate with industrial processes to the same degree; they have to have retail space; they can't get into supermarkets (which are also monopolies), etc.

The US used to have very nice, local bakeries. They have been all wiped out by consolidation.

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Re:US food additives banned in EU. Expert says "almost certa... by not_kurt_godel on Wednesday February 22, 2023 @03:38PM (#34902310)

OK, but why should harmful additives be allowed whether the market is monopolized or has competition?

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