"Is It Food or Rubber?" As Anxiety Over "Fake Food" Grows, Experts Say: "Cannot Conclude It's Harmful"

"Fake Food" Videos Go Viral on U.S. Social Media
Experts Say, "Not Easy to Define as Harmful Foods"

Recently in the United States, videos raising suspicions of "fake food" have gone viral on social media platforms. Clips featuring tough, rubber-like fruits and meats that stretch have sparked widespread reactions questioning, "Is this really food?"

Experts explain that the unusual textures or appearances of these foods can be attributed to the conditions of storage or the manufacturing process. However, the viral spread of such videos is fueling growing distrust among consumers toward ultraprocessed foods and food additives.

A video showing food that bends or stretches like rubber. Captured from TikTok (@sceneunlocked001)

Foods that Bend and Stretch Like Rubber ... Experts Point to Storage and Processing Factors

According to the New York Post on the 21st (local time), videos showing chocolate bending without breaking and cheese stretching like rubber have been generating millions of views and drawing significant attention on U.S. social media. Clips of juice containing beetroot and carrots stretching out sticky or bananas bending like rubber have also been widely shared.

Some users who viewed these videos expressed concern that American food is becoming increasingly artificial.

However, experts caution that an unusual texture or appearance alone is not sufficient grounds to label a food product as harmful. In fact, some of these cases may result from changes during storage.

According to the University of California, Davis, watermelons and bananas stored at low temperatures for extended periods can develop tissue damage, leading to unusual textures or forms. Watermelon pulp may become soggy or mealy, and bananas may appear misshapen.

In some cases, the unusual texture of certain foods arises during manufacture. Producers add ingredients such as starches, fats, gums, emulsifiers, flavorings, colorants, and preservatives to adjust texture and shape and to extend shelf life. This is done to maintain consistent product quality or to reduce costs.

Unfamiliar ingredients or processing methods do not necessarily mean that a food is harmful. Frozen vegetables, canned beans, and imitation crab sticks are all considered processed foods, but that does not mean they must always be avoided.

The chocolate video that became a sensation for bending without breaking. Screenshot from TikTok (@sceneunlocked001)

Ultraprocessed Foods Pervade American Diets ... Government Steps Up on Additive Regulation

There are reasons why consumer anxiety persists despite expert explanations. One key reason is that ultraprocessed foods account for a significant proportion of the typical American diet.

According to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all calories consumed by Americans aged one or older come from ultraprocessed foods. Sandwiches and hamburgers were identified as major sources, while bread, baked goods, salty snacks, and sugary drinks also accounted for a significant share. Among adults, bread, rolls, and tortillas were all among the top five sources of calories from ultraprocessed foods.

The U.S. government is also moving to strengthen the regulation of ultraprocessed foods and food additives. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are collaborating to create a unified federal definition for ultraprocessed foods. Earlier this month, the FDA also proposed revising the "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) framework, which allows manufacturers to determine the safety of food additives independently. Under the proposed changes, manufacturers would be required to notify the FDA when they determine the safety of substances added to foods—an effort to improve oversight and transparency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.