A young Spanish woman in the United States has sparked an intense debate on TikTok by sharing her concern about a food product that, instead of spoiling, seems to defy time. In the video, which has already received hundreds of comments, the TikToker displays a package of shredded cheese purchased at Costco, weighing more than a kilogram, and states: “This has been with us for easily six months, and it's in perfect condition. In Spain, if I leave an open package of shredded cheese in the fridge, it turns green in two weeks.”
From the kitchen of her home, the young @alegonpaez narrates her bewilderment in a casual tone. “There’s nothing that annoys me more than wasting food,” she admits, although she also acknowledges that the longevity of cheese raises some questions for her. “What do they put in food that prevents it from going bad? What kind of magic do they add to make it last a year in the fridge and still be just like it was when you opened it yesterday?” she wonders, holding the container with disbelief.
The protagonist, who has been living in the United States for two years, also laughs and comments: “The only thing that has gone bad for me here, I would say, is the sliced bread. In Spain, it was a constant battle to say: 'Should I buy this or not? Because it’s going to go bad, you know?' Here, I don’t even think about that. I want it, I buy it, and if that’s the case, I’ll eat it next year.”
His account, seemingly anecdotal, sparked a wave of reactions that reflect a shared concern among European and Latin American migrants: the amount of additives and preservatives found in processed foods in the United States.
"That's not cheese, it's shredded plastic," one user joked. Another remarked, "It's not magic, it's cancer-causing preservatives." And someone else was blunt: "The concern isn't about what they put in it, it's about me eating it."
Many pointed out the use of ingredients that would be prohibited in the European Union. “In the U.S., additives are used that are banned in the EU, and the other option is that it’s not really cheese,” one user stated. “If it doesn’t spoil, it can’t be good,” someone else wrote, while another commented: “It contains so many preservatives that even the bacteria wouldn’t want to eat it.”
The video also sparked more sarcastic reactions, such as someone saying: “The bros understanding what preservatives are.” And there were certainly responses with more serious references: “Food that lasts this long is because it’s so processed that it has stopped being food,” commented a follower. Others shared their direct experiences: “I can literally have chicken in the fridge for two weeks without freezing it, and it’s perfect. In Spain, it already smells terrible after three days. It's quite frightening, to be honest.”
This phenomenon resonates with experiences already shared by Cuban émigrés, like a mother who recently arrived in the U.S., who confessed to feeling "traumatized" because "the food tastes like nothing," according to her daughter. "Here you cook the steak and it doesn't smell like anything; if you don't season it, it doesn't taste like anything," they explained, pointing to a structural difference between the ingredients in both countries.
Another Cuban migrant, based in Kentucky, shared that after years of dreaming about fruits and meat, he now feels a sense of aversion: “I have rotting apples, pork, and chicken, but I don't want to deal with that.” His reflection led to hundreds of similar comments: “In Cuba, we ate with hunger and desire, and everything tasted good; here, there’s plenty, but it doesn’t taste like anything.”
Testimonies have also been published highlighting an emotional factor, such as that of a Cuban who reflected on how nostalgia even affects flavor: “Food feels tasteless when thinking of your loved ones... It’s not the food, it’s life that feels bland”.
Some comments even went beyond the taste or duration, linking the issue to public health: “Now you know why the servings are so large,” one said. Another warned: “Keep eating that kind of food, and in a few years, let me know how it goes.”
Other users, however, offered nuance. “In the U.S., there is good food too, you just have to look for it. I buy fresh, preservative-free products at Amish markets,” they commented. There were also those who simply advised: “Buy a smaller one, dear. If you have to throw it away, then throw it away, but never eat something bad. And you don't have a belly, you look very pretty,” concluded one user with emojis.
The debate sparked by this video is not new. The difference in the food model between Europe and the U.S. has been widely documented and discussed, both on social media and in public health studies. The ease of preservation of some ultra-processed products in the United States, as well as the number of uncommon ingredients outside the country, is raising more and more questions among those who emigrate and begin to observe their diet with a new perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions about Food in the U.S. and Its Preservation
Why do foods in the U.S. seem to last longer without spoiling?
Food in the U.S. lasts longer without spoiling due to the amount of additives and preservatives they contain. These ingredients help extend the shelf life of products, but they also raise concerns among consumers, especially those from countries with stricter regulations on the use of additives.
What differences are there between food additives in the U.S. and the EU?
In the U.S., food additives are allowed that are banned in the European Union. This is due to differences in food safety regulations between the two regions. While in the EU many additives are prohibited due to their potential adverse health effects, in the U.S. their use is more widespread, contributing to the perception that foods are less natural.
How does the use of preservatives affect consumers' health?
The excessive use of preservatives in food can have negative effects on health. Some studies suggest that certain preservatives may be linked to long-term health issues, although the evidence is not always conclusive. The concern lies in the fact that, while these ingredients allow for a longer shelf life of products, they may also alter their nutritional value and flavor.
What do migrants think about the quality of food in the U.S.?
Many migrants believe that food in the U.S. has less flavor and quality compared to that of their home countries. This is attributed to the use of processed ingredients and preservatives that alter the natural taste of the food. Additionally, the taste experience may vary due to cultural differences and the ingredients used in cooking.
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