#403: What's REALLY In Your Food? | Dark Secrets of Ultra-Pasteurized Milk, Natural Flavors & Microplastics EXPOSED With Ben Katz

Today, I'm joined by Ben Katz—better known online as Mr. Mass Spec —an academic analytical chemist from UC Irvine whose mission is to uncover what's really in our everyday foods, drinks, and products. Ben reverse engineers everything from Taco Bell meat to Doritos, and sometimes even entire industries, using cutting-edge mass spectrometry. His curiosity and expertise have made him a go-to source for those wanting to know what's hiding behind vague ingredient labels and "natural flavors." Episode Timestamps: Welcome and podcast introduction ... 00:00:00 What is mass spectrometry? ... 00:05:00 Viral "what's in it?" projects and public interest ... 00:07:27 Synthetic vs. plant-derived nicotine and toxins in plant extracts ... 00:09:53 Food label transparency and loopholes (natural flavors, FEMA, GRAS) ... 00:20:11 Sweeteners & artificial additives: sucralose, stevia, cost motivations ... 00:23:07 Ultra pasteurization of milk and added flavors ... 00:29:48 Chocolate, caffeine content, and labeling challenges ... 00:33:12 Industrial food processes, GMOs, and food security insights ... 00:38:36 Microplastics: occurrence, regulation, and PEG in food ... 00:50:15 Supplements under development for microplastic removal ... 00:58:43 Adulteration in olive oil, maple syrup, and honey ... 01:04:08 Hidden sweeteners, and processed food pitfalls ... 01:10:14 Avoid artificial sweeteners, problematic plastics, and hidden flavors ... 01:14:36 Our Amazing Sponsors: Manukora Honey - rich, creamy Manuka honey packed with powerful bioactives, all in just one heaped teaspoon a day. Go to MANUKORA.com/NAT to save up to 31% plus $25 in free gifts with the Starter Kit. Magnesium Breakthrough - uses seven absorbable forms of magnesium to support deeper sleep, calmer nerves, and real recovery. Get up to 35% off at bioptimizers.com/bionat with code BIONAT. Nature's Marvels Bioregulators - provide gentle, organ-specific support — and the Liver Bioregulator is a favorite this season for supporting detox pathways and metabolic flow. Head to profound-health.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off your first order. Nat's Links: YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter Instagram Facebook Group