Who Will Stand Up for Us Now? A Reflection on Ralph Nader and the Fight for Safer Food
By Sasha Preek
When I was a child, Ralph Nader seemed larger than life. I remember watching him on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson—a man with sharp words, an unyielding demeanor, and a relentless passion for protecting the average American. My father, an attorney and a man of strong opinions, called him “irritating and pedantic.” But to me, Nader was a superhero, a lone crusader fighting to defend ordinary people from the hidden dangers lurking in everyday products.
He was one of the first voices in the public sphere brave enough to call out industries that prioritized profits over people’s health. Nader denounced soft drinks for packing more than nine teaspoons of sugar into a single can. He warned Americans about the cancer risks associated with red dyes and the nitrates in hot dogs. “The food industry, its trade associations, and research foundations, is well financed and highly organized to pressure the FDA,” he said, pulling no punches in his critique of those who were supposed to protect us.
Decades later, Nader is still advocating for the public good, but his voice has been pushed to the margins. He’s rarely mentioned in the news anymore, even though his warnings remain as urgent as ever. And it makes me wonder—who will be the advocate for the next generation?
The FDA, the very agency tasked with safeguarding our health, continues to approve ingredients like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. These artificial colorings, along with a cocktail of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and syrups, are common in American foods. Yet many of these additives are banned in countries across Europe. The same corporations manufacturing snacks for those stricter markets know exactly how to make healthier versions. But here in the U.S., they load their products with cheap, harmful chemicals because they’re allowed to get away with it.
How can we trust these corporations—or the government agencies that enable them—when it comes to our food, our medicines, or anything else? Imagine if an individual tried to sell a product they knew caused birth defects or cancer. They’d be in prison, no questions asked. But when it’s a massive corporation, it’s just another Tuesday at the factory.
The most tragic part of this story is our children. These companies create products filled with addictive ingredients, designed to keep kids hooked on junk that poisons their growing bodies. How do the people running these corporations sleep at night, knowing they profit from the suffering of the most vulnerable?
If you’re curious, take a moment to compare the ingredient lists of common snacks sold in the U.S. and Europe. You’ll see exactly what I mean. The contrast is staggering, and it’s a glaring indictment of our food system.
I’d like to believe that America will one day embrace healthier practices, but I’m not optimistic. The fight for health is pitted against two forces that rarely lose: corporate greed and government’s crushing lust for power.
For those who feel compelled to speak up, you can contact the FDA directly at (888) 463-6332 or write them an old-fashioned letter:
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Just remember, the people in charge will never read it. Your call will be answered by an underpaid phone jockey with no power and likely no concern to change a thing. But maybe—just maybe—enough voices will eventually force them to listen.
Who will stand up for us now? Maybe it’s you.
