Dr Oz: Celebrating 5 Years
Five years ago, Dr Oz set out to make health information entertaining. Now, he said the audience thinks getting healthy is cool. From demos and workouts to explosions and special effects, a lot has happened in five years. Get updates on BVO in Gatorade, Yellow Dye in food, and the arsenic apple juice controversy that fired up a nation.
Dr Oz got his back waxed, interviewed Oprah and First Lady Michelle Obama, and has showcased more workouts and diet recipes than I can count. Do you have a favorite moment from five seasons of Dr Oz?
Best of Dr Oz: Organic Foods & Weight Loss
After five years on the air, Dr Oz looked at how the show’s viewers have helped to change public policy about Arsenic in Apple Juice and BVO in Gatorade.
Here are some highlights achieved by the show’s audience in the past five years:
- 140 million people are walking
- Viewers lost more than three million pounds in one year
- 3/4 of viewers are buying Organic Foods
- Quinoa, Kale, Sardines, and Walnuts are more popular than ever
Dr Oz: Arsenic Apple Juice Controversy
Doctor Oz has tackled the government, big business, and the world of medicine over the years. Dr Oz’s Apple Juice Arsenic investigation was shocking for the audience, and it took the media by storm.
In less than 24 hours, the apple juice controversy was all over the news, and some told Dr Oz he was overreacting. The FDA even spoke out in defense of its practices. Then Consumer Reports did an independent investigation, finding similar results.
Dr Oz: New FDA Arsenic Limits
As a result of action from viewers, consumers and citizens, about two years after the original investigation, in July 2013, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a new limit for arsenic levels in apple juice. Oz called it “a landmark moment in food safety.”
Dr Urvashi Rangan from Consumer Reports said it highlighted carcinogens in our food supply. We control these in our water supply, but there are lacking standards of measurement and control in food.
The parents from the original arsenic episode were back in the audience to respond. The passionate father said his family has learned to read every label, and they drink water instead of apple juice or soda.
“We have so much power to make a difference, and there’s been a lot of progress made in this last year, from just this kind of awareness, this kind of movement,” Rangan said.
Dr Oz: BVO in Gatorade
In a previous episode, a 16-year-old was surprised to see Brominated Vegetable Oil among the ingredients on her Gatorade bottle. Also known as BVO, it was created as a flame retardant. Side effects can include fatigue, headaches, and lack of coordination.
Sarah started a petition to get it removed from Gatorade. When more than 200,000 people signed an online petition, Pepsi removed BVO from Gatorade.
Dr Oz: Yellow Dye in Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Two moms campaigned to have Yellow Dye #5 and Yellow Dye #6 removed from Kraft’s Macaroni and Cheese products for their children. These colorings are made from petroleum, and their campaign made headlines nationwide.
Kraft agreed to take these dyes out of the macaroni and cheese that is marketed to children.
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