How scary that it’s now been found that a neurotoxin called Hexane is often found in non-organic veggie burgers! An investigation by the Cornucopia Institute has found that most major brands of veggie burgers contain trace amounts of hexane, which is listed as a “hazardous air pollutant” by the EPA. Hexane is shown to cause nervous system failure and skin disorders in humans.The Cornucopia Institute’s report informs us that although “organic” food processing prohibits hexane, hexane is common in “natural” products, including those products labeled “made with organic ingredients” that may contain some organic ingredients but also contain a good percentage of non-organic ones.
“In order to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers, manufacturers of soy-based fake meat like to make their products have as little fat as possible. The cheapest way to do this is by submerging soybeans in a bath of hexane to separate the oil from the protein,” Kiera Butler of Mother Jones Online reports.
“If a non-organic product contains a soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, or texturized vegetable protein, you can be pretty sure it was made using soy beans that were made with hexane,” Cornucopia Institute senior researcher Charlotte Vallaeys says.
When I started researching Soy products for The Gorgeously Green Diet, I came across problem of Hexane and realized that many of the soy products are the market are amoung the most highly processed foods we can buy. In my book, I advise caution when buying these foods, and always make sure they are certified organic.
does this only pertain to non organic products? and what about Soy milk?
Sophie, I just happened to read this tonight! OMG… It just makes me that much more proud that my husband started O!burger. And not to sell, but his veggie burgers are made with 100% certified organic ingredients. No hexane there. Thanks for letting us know about this!