The sight of Goldfish crackers was once exciting. However, our perspective has drastically changed in recent years. With these kinds of products, the industry is introducing young children to the allure of processed foods, making it seem natural to consume food that comes from boxes, bags, or jars. Unfortunately, this has contributed to the creation of generations of children who develop a dependence on ultra-processed packaged foods and later struggle as "picky eaters" in life.

Here are four reasons why we suggest you choose not to buy Goldfish crackers for your kids:

Goldfish are primarily made from non-organic refined wheat flour.

This type of flour is incredibly unhealthy to consume. Enriched wheat flour undergoes a milling process that strips away essential nutrients originally present in the grain. The heat generated during milling destroys any vitamins or minerals, resulting in a lifeless, white powder devoid of nutritional value. To compensate, synthetic vitamins and minerals are added back in. Furthermore, the FDA has approved numerous chemicals for manufacturers to use in enhancing the smell, appearance, and shelf life of flour. In essence, Goldfish crackers are heavily processed and far from real food.

Additionally, conventional wheat crops in America are commonly sprayed with glyphosate (Roundup weed killer) as a drying agent before harvest, leading to its presence in finished products on store shelves. In 2016, an independent food safety laboratory tested popular American food items for glyphosate residues and found traces of it in Goldfish crackers. Specifically, three samples of Goldfish were found to contain 18.40 ppb in Goldfish Crackers Original, 8.02 ppb in Goldfish Crackers Colors, and 24.58 ppb in Goldfish Crackers Whole Grain.

While it has been a while since Goldfish was last tested for glyphosate, Pepperidge Farm, the brand behind Goldfish, has not addressed whether any measures have been taken to rectify this issue. Who is willing to take a gamble on feeding their child a food known to be contaminated with Roundup, a chemical strongly linked to cancer? Opting for products made with organic whole grain wheat or other organic ingredients provides a safer alternative.

Goldfish contain Soybean Oil and Canola Oil, both derived from genetically modified (GMO) crops.

These refined oils undergo an extensive processing procedure involving chemical solvents, steamers, neutralizers, de-waxers, bleach, and deodorizers before making their way into our food. Soybean and canola oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are known to promote inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation contributes to various diseases, increasing the risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the soybean and canola oil used in Goldfish crackers are derived from GMO crops, as stated on the label. These crops are also frequently contaminated with Roundup weed killer.

Goldfish contain hidden MSG in the form of autolyzed yeast extract.

Pepperidge Farm adds autolyzed yeast extract to Goldfish Crackers to enhance their taste and create an irresistible quality that keeps kids wanting more. This contributes to fostering addictive eating habits among children. MSG has also been linked to obesity as it enhances the flavor of food, leading to overconsumption. In fact, MSG is often utilized in animal studies to induce obesity. You probably don't want your children consuming Goldfish crackers that contain a flavor enhancer designed to hijack their taste buds. 

The cheese in Goldfish is not organic and likely comes from factory farms where cows are subjected to antibiotics and hormones.

It is crucial to choose products made with organic dairy to avoid potential residues of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and other drugs frequently administered to animals on factory farms. By purchasing Goldfish crackers, you are supporting the industrial complex of low-quality food.