Tag Archives: Food Delivery Service

High-Fructose Corn Syrup, MSG and Aspartame

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At Passanante’s Home Food Service we’re busy looking after our families and yours alike. You have probably heard controversial buzz about high-fructose corn syrup, MSG and aspartame, and maybe all of the press left you with more questions than answers. Even though none of our products contain these ingredients, here’s a little information on each.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is the most common sweetener added into processed foods and beverages. While it is chemically similar to real sugar, many have concerns about how the sweetener is processed prior to being added to a variety of foods. Like any type of sugar, ingesting high-fructose corn syrup can lead to weigh gain, cavities, poor nutrition and increased risk of heart attack, but there is no research that shows HFCS is any less healthy than real pure sugar.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is an ingredient commonly found added to Chinese food, canned vegetables and processed meats. Over the past decade or more this flavor enhancer has been the subject of much controversy; however it has been classified by the FDA as safe for consumption. Despite reports of headaches, numbness, chest pain and nausea among other symptoms, no research has conclusively found MSG is in anyway tied to these adverse reactions.

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener commonly found in sodas and chewing gum that has been around for more than 30 years. Nearly 200 times sweeter than sugar it is often substituted for real sugar to reduce calories as much less Aspartame is needed to get the same sweetness as larger quantities of sugar. Some fear Aspartame increases the risks of lymphomas, leukemias, or brain tumors, although no studies have confirmed this. Aspartame is been approved for consumption by the FDA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations World Health Organization.

At Passanante’s our goal is to help you provide the best nutrition to your friends and family with every delicious home cooked meal you prepare. To become a part of our incredible community give us a call anytime to schedule an appointment or hop onto our Facebook and Twitter to get connected!

Introducing “Tuna Scrape”

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Raw Tuna

In the wake of the recent Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 141 individuals, federal public health officials were able to determine the culprit – imported Tuna Scrape. You heard right, the latest food to be scrutinized in the media comes from the seafood industry and can be found in sushi rolls around the world.  Nakaochi Scrape, better known as Tuna Scrape, is the ground backmeat scraped from the bones of the fish. This most recent Salmonella outbreak led to the recall of some 58,828 pounds of the tuna product imported from India.

With all of the recent press surrounding Pink Slime, a beef product produced by collecting scrap meat from the cow carcass, separating meat from fat, grinding up the meat and connective tissues and finally treating the end result with ammonia, many people are questioning – is Tuna Scrape the new Pink Slime?

Depending on whom you ask, the answer is a resounding “no.” Many experts believe the comparisons between Pink Slime and Tuna Scrape are unfounded, as the fish product is not treated with ammonia or other harsh chemicals. The location of the meat on the fish simply requires manual removal unlike the more substantial filet cuts we are accustomed to purchasing for consumption.

As quoted in “What’s the Deal With Tuna Scrape” by Gretchen Goetz of Food Safety News,

“Just because it’s not part of the filet doesn’t mean back scrape is an inherently “worse” part of the fish, says Harry Yoshimura, owner of Mutual Fish Company, Inc., “Usually meat around the bone tastes very, very good,” he says. “And when you get a good fish, it’s really terrific.”

To concur with Yoshimura, as far as the FDA is concerned, Tuna Scrape does not pose any more of a health risk than consumption any other raw fish. The fact that this meat is collected from the backbone does not in any way impact the safety or nutrition of the meat.

The risks associated with your run-of-the-mill Tuna Scrape are the same risks you take every time you eat Sushi at your favorite restaurant. The real risk as far as any studies can hint at, is in eating imported raw meats including Tuna Scrape, which make up ¾ of all seafood in the United States… sounds inticing doesn’t it?

Who wants to worry about the safety of the foods they’re preparing for their family and friends? The quality seafood delivered right to your door from Passanante’s Home Food Service exceeds all HACCP standards and is delicious! Choose safety, quality and convenience over the imported grocery store imitations. Trust Passanante’s to deliver only the best foods for your family.

Poultry Farms Get Heat For Arsenic, Antibiotics, Antihistamines and Antidepressants

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There’s more bad news on the meat production industry front! Recent studies conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Center for a Livable Future and Arizona State University found caffeine, active ingredients of Tylenol and Benadryl, banned antibiotics and even arsenic in samples collected from U.S. poultry farms. Like human fingernails, feathers retain traces of chemicals and drugs the animal was exposed to or ingested making it easy for scientists to analyze.

Poultry Farm

Studies conducted revealed that in an effort to produce meatier chickens, poultry farmers are feeding the birds coffee pulp and green tea powder to keep them awake so they spend more time eating. To keep the chickens calm, they are subsequently fed the same antihistamine found in Benadryl and acetaminophen which is the active ingredient in Tylenol as chickens under stress tend to grow more slowly and produce tougher meat. Arsenic, which is used to prevent infections and makes the chicken flesh a more appetizing shade of pink, was also found in the samples, and if that’s not enough, feather-meal samples from China contained the same active ingredient and antidepressant found in Prozac.

While scientists have not yet confirmed an immediate health risk to humans, the allure of inexpensive chicken from the grocery is quickly depleting my appetite. Additionally, feeding livestock antibiotics increases the likelihood of developing antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” which kill more American’s annually than AIDS.

If there’s one thing Passanante’s feels strongly about it’s the necessity to provide safe, chemical and toxin free, delicious foods to our customers and their families. Save yourself the worrying and make the choice to rely on our organic food delivery service to provide you with the nutrition and peace of mind you deserve. Give Passanante’s Home Food Service a call to schedule an appointment and get on the road to a healthier lifestyle!

It’s that time of year again…grilling season!

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Well, we’re past Easter which means a couple things for you and your family.  Ladies, your favorite white jeans are officially back in season and men — it’s prime time for grilling!

It’s probably no surprise to you that grilling your meats is always a healthy option, but if you’re working to get in swimsuit-shape, macaroni and cheese is probably not the most calorie conscious side dish for your chicken breast.

Try cutting up some of your favorite organic veggies and allowing them to absorb a low sodium marinade before wrapping them in a foil packet and popping them on the top rack of your grill. Squash, zucchini and asparagus do a great job of absorbing the signature smoky taste you only get from the grill and go well with any meat!

If you’re looking for something a bit more hearty, try thick slices of potato and onion seasoned and grilled with butter in a foil packet.

Since the grill is already hot you might as well try your luck at a delicious grilled dessert! Slice up some peaches, add a little honey and a dash of cinnamon before– you guessed it – putting them in a foil packet and grilling them into a guiltless peach cobbler without the crust!

Check out this article by Fitness Magazine for more ideas for healthy grilled meals or hop on our Facebook Page to exchange recipes with our loyal Passanante’s Home Food Service customers!

Let Passanante’s Help You Save By Eating At Home!

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With nearly any food type available just a short drive away, the temptation to dine out or call in for delivery can be pretty hard to fight off.  The average American family spends $232 a month dining out of their home, which means you could be spending almost $3,000 a year on foods that are high in calories, fat, and artery-clogging saturated fat – not so tasty when you think about it that way.

Center for Science in the Public Interest nutritionist Jayne Hurley said “More than half of Americans are overweight and it’s no coincidence that we are eating out in record numbers … more restaurants are serving huge portions of high-calorie food. An entree or appetizer or dessert that is less than 1,000 calories is tough to find. That’s half of what you need for the whole day.” Even that innocent scone from Starbucks packs a whopping 530 calories, 56 grams of fat, and 10 grams of saturated fat!

By preparing meals at home you’re doing more than saving money on the cost of food. Meal times at home encourage more family time, healthier lifestyle, lower costs for health care, reduced temptation to over indulge in high calorie foods and increased energy!

If you want to skip the hassle of the grocery store and have healthy, organic foods delivered straight to your door, depend on Passanante’s Home Food Service. For more information about our delicious hormone-free meats and home delivery give us a call at 1-800-772-7786.