Some fruits and vegetables, even organic ones, can be sprayed with chemicals like diphenylamine after harvest to make them look fresh and prevent spots. These post-harvest sprays aren’t always listed or talked about, but people should be aware that 'clean eating' produce may still have added chemicals. If you want to avoid these, look for options with minimal handling or ask your grocer about their practices.

Popular drinks like 'Feel Free' containing kratom and kava are as advertised, with strong plant extracts and no hidden synthetic drugs found. These products can be much more potent than regular kratom or kava powders due to concentrated extracts or fermentation. Effects vary widely from person to person, and potency can be unexpectedly high.

Many mushroom supplements could be made from cheap, starchy materials or just mycelium, not real mushroom fruiting bodies. This means you might not actually be getting the beneficial compounds you expect. Checking for the real active ingredients is important when buying mushroom powders or capsules.

Testing products for purity and hidden ingredients using mass spectrometry is costly, with machines costing up to a million dollars and running a single test costing over $100. This limits how often and widely products can be checked. It’s important to trust reputable testers or sources who do this work.

Many people assume natural ingredients are always healthier, but in some cases, synthetic versions of flavors or active compounds are actually safer and more predictable. Natural plant extracts may contain unwanted or harmful byproducts. Sometimes, 'lab-made' can mean cleaner and more controlled.

Many gums and nicotine pouches use synthetic cooling agents originally meant for shaving creams to create a cooling sensation. These chemicals were not designed to be eaten, and their long-term effects when used in food or mouth products aren’t fully known. Always check for unusual ingredients in what you chew or suck on.

Offering zero-nicotine versions of popular pouches could help people quit by giving them the same flavor and experience without the addictive ingredient. Many users enjoy the flavor and the habit, not just the nicotine. This could be an easy way for people to transition away from nicotine.

Natural flavors in products like gum and nicotine pouches often contain many extra plant compounds, some of which can be toxic or carcinogenic. Synthetic flavors can actually be safer because they are purer and more predictable. Not all 'natural' is better—sometimes, synthetic is the healthier choice.

Most popular nicotine pouches and gums now use synthetic nicotine, which tends to be much cleaner and purer than tobacco-derived nicotine. Synthetic versions have fewer toxic impurities, making them a safer option for people already using nicotine products. However, nicotine is still highly addictive and has its own health risks.

Many chocolate products, like M&Ms, have much higher caffeine than expected—sometimes more caffeine than the natural chocolate plant would provide. Chocolate is supposed to have mostly theobromine, but in processed candies, the caffeine can be much higher. This means some candy could give kids (and adults) a surprising energy kick.