#FoodSafety

Recent international research collaboration has raised serious concerns regarding unexpected health risks associated with consuming gourmet false morel mushrooms, a delicacy that appears linked to an alarming cluster of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis cases in a small French village, findings that could have significant implications for food safety and neurological health throughout Thailand where wild mushroom consumption and foraging activities are increasingly popular among food enthusiasts and rural communities.

False morels, known scientifically as Gyromitra species, have attracted chefs and culinary enthusiasts across Europe and North America with their distinctive earthy flavor and prestigious culinary status, often featured in high-end restaurant dishes including risottos and cream-based sauces. However, despite their gourmet reputation, these mushrooms contain neurotoxins now believed connected to neurological illnesses including ALS, a degenerative disorder causing irreversible paralysis and death within several years of diagnosis.

A recent international research collaboration has raised alarm bells over an unexpected risk associated with a gourmet food long prized by the wealthy: eating false morel mushrooms, a delicacy that appears to be linked to an alarming cluster of Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS) cases in a small French village. This finding could have far-reaching implications for food safety and neurological health, including for Thai food lovers and foragers increasingly drawn to wild mushrooms.

A new report has detailed one of the most significant raw milk-related disease outbreaks in recent United States history, after over 160 people—most of them young children—fell ill due to Salmonella infections linked to raw milk products from a single California dairy farm. The incident, chronicled in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on July 24, has renewed calls for consumer caution and public health awareness around unpasteurized dairy, with important lessons for Thai readers as interest in “fresh” and natural foods continues to rise both globally and domestically.

A prominent American fitness influencer has called for sweeping reforms in the regulation of food and pharmaceutical products, urging policymakers to broaden their focus beyond artificial food dyes. At a recent summit, this celebrity trainer and media personality expressed her support for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, advocating not only for bans on synthetic additives like Red 40 but for a far wider overhaul of what is allowed in the nation’s food supply. Her remarks have renewed debate about the safety of food ingredients, the influence of powerful industry lobbies, and the steps individuals and governments can take to protect public health.

A ubiquitous sugar substitute found in Thai supermarkets, bakeries, bubble tea shops, and increasingly in “health” products, erythritol, has emerged as a fresh concern for heart health. Recent scientific studies—including a major investigation led by the University of Colorado Boulder—reveal that consuming even a typical serving of erythritol may rapidly trigger changes in blood vessels and platelets that set the stage for heart attack and stroke. With sugar-free and “keto” diets growing in popularity across Thailand, these findings carry weighty implications for millions of Thai consumers who have long considered erythritol as a harmless alternative to sugar.

Dietary supplements have become an omnipresent feature of modern wellness culture, with shelves in drugstores, supermarkets, and online platforms crowded by an ever-expanding array of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and herbal extracts. While the United States remains a major hub of the supplement industry, this rapid growth is mirrored in Thailand, where the sector has seen unprecedented expansion over the past decade. This news report investigates the forces powering the supplement surge, the health realities behind the claims, and what these trends mean for Thai consumers, health regulators, and policymakers.

Cashews have long been beloved by snackers and chefs in Thailand alike, and recent research continues to highlight their status as a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein and essential minerals. However, health experts are sounding a note of caution: while cashews are healthy in many ways, overindulging could come with unexpected risks, particularly due to their high calorie and oxalate content.

Cashews are a staple in many Thai households – appearing not only in popular dishes like stir-fries and salads, but also as a creamy base for dairy alternatives in the growing vegan community. With global demand for cashews soaring (the market topped $8 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed $11 billion by 2030), understanding their nutritional profile and risks is increasingly important for Thai consumers and policymakers alike (geneseorepublic.com).

A growing trend among teenagers to pursue what they see as natural, “crunchy” wellness is raising new concerns among health professionals, who warn that teens embracing extreme eating habits in the name of health may be putting themselves at real risk. The so-called “crunchy teen” movement, which promotes natural foods, holistic remedies, and sometimes outright rejection of conventional medicine, is spreading rapidly on social media platforms and affecting adolescent behaviors worldwide, including here in Thailand.

The humble tin of fish, once seen as little more than an emergency pantry staple, has vaulted into the limelight as the latest foodie obsession. Social media has driven a revival—dubbed “TinTok”—with a new generation embracing sardines, mackerel, tuna, and anchovies for their convenience, chic packaging, and purported health benefits. But amid the trendiness, nutrition experts and food safety authorities urge consumers to consider both the upsides and potential downsides before making canned fish a daily staple.

The debate over whether eggs are harmful or beneficial to health has endured for decades, with recent research and expert commentary helping to clarify long-standing misconceptions about their impact, particularly on cholesterol and heart disease. According to a 2025 investigation by Vogue, which drew on nutrition and medical experts like Dr. Emily Leeming, eggs are now recognized as a nutritional powerhouse that can fit sensibly into most diets—yet questions persist, especially for Thai households where eggs are a staple (Vogue).

A sweeping new analysis has concluded that there is no truly safe amount of processed meat for human consumption, with even small, regular servings significantly elevating the risk of major diseases such as type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and heart disease, according to a landmark study published this week in the journal Nature Medicine and widely reported by international outlets including CNN and WQOW.

The findings are the clearest warning yet from the scientific community about processed meat—a staple in many diets globally, including Thailand—following years of warnings about its health impact. For Thai readers, where items such as sausage, bacon, and ham are increasingly found amidst traditional street food and quick-service restaurants, the research issues a sobering call to reconsider daily eating habits.

A new digital grassroots movement is gaining momentum on American college campuses, where students, inspired by social media and a growing distrust of mainstream nutrition advice, are rejecting ultra-processed foods, plastics, and so-called “forever chemicals” in favor of a “crunchy,” whole foods lifestyle. As reported in a recent New York Post feature, this subculture—previously confined to niche communities—has found energised new leaders among young people broadcasting their holistic health crusades on TikTok.

Chocolate lovers in Thailand have long debated whether their daily indulgence in this beloved treat is helping or harming their health. New research has emerged, offering a nuanced answer: the health impact of chocolate varies, depending on the type and amount consumed, as well as individual health needs. For Thai readers seeking clarity, the latest findings reveal both promising benefits—especially from dark chocolate—and important cautions about excess consumption and contaminants.

Chicken breast, long championed as a staple protein in kitchens worldwide, is now enjoying renewed recognition for its impressive health benefits, according to recent research and nutrition reports. Examining the nutritional profile of chicken breast, experts highlight its unrivaled protein content, low saturated fat levels, and essential vitamin load—making it an optimal choice for individuals looking to enhance heart health, energy, and overall wellbeing. This news, resonating globally, carries increasingly relevant implications for Thai families seeking cost-effective, high-quality nutrition options amid shifting dietary trends.

A viral “wellness” trend—drinking raw, unpasteurized milk—has swept through online communities, raising alarm among medical experts and public health officials worldwide. As influencers tout raw milk’s supposed health benefits on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, healthcare professionals urgently warn of serious risks associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy. This surge in interest, driven largely by social media wellness influencers, is confronting long-standing public health wisdom and challenging how consumers in Thailand, and elsewhere, assess food safety.

The Internet’s latest viral wellness obsession—drinking unpasteurized “raw” milk—has fueled a surge in demand worldwide, including on Thai social media platforms, but medical professionals are raising urgent concerns over its serious health risks. With raw milk advocates touting purported nutritional and immunity benefits, global health authorities and food safety experts warn that these claims are not only unproven but mask very real dangers—pathogenic infections, foodborne illness outbreaks, and even life-threatening complications, especially for children and the elderly (BuzzFeed; Wikipedia - Raw milk).

A new warning from Harvard-affiliated medical experts and recent research has raised urgent concerns over the safety of commercially available protein powders, drawing attention to potentially hazardous contaminants in products widely consumed by fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and health-conscious Thais. According to reviews by researchers and reports by advocacy groups such as the Clean Label Project, many popular protein powders contain significant levels of heavy metals, plastic-derived chemicals, and other toxins—a finding that threatens to upend perceptions of these supplements as inherently “healthy” choices for those pursuing muscle gain or dietary supplementation [Harvard Health][LADbible].

As Thai consumers increasingly reach for probiotic supplements in the pursuit of gut health and general wellness, a wave of new international research is challenging the value of these products—and warning of potential risks for some individuals. The probiotic market, which ballooned to an estimated US$87.7 billion (about 3 trillion baht) globally in 2023, is projected to be worth even more in Asia, with Thailand among the countries seeing swift growth in sales at pharmacies, supermarkets, and online shops. But according to a recent investigation spotlighted by Fortune, many probiotic supplements may not offer meaningful health benefits, and under certain circumstances, they could even backfire for the consumer (fortune.com; msn.com).

A groundbreaking study published in Nature by investigators at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester, has linked taurine—an amino acid found in energy drinks and natural food sources—with an increased risk of blood cancers, particularly leukemia. The research, already sparking international dialogue, comes at a time when energy drink consumption is soaring in Thailand, especially among youth and office workers who rely on such products for an energy boost.

Aspartame, the popular calorie-free artificial sweetener featured in thousands of food and drink products across Thailand and the globe, is under renewed scrutiny after recent research highlighted its potential health risks despite decades of widespread use. While aspartame has long been promoted as a guilt-free alternative to sugar—especially for those managing weight or diabetes—nutrition experts caution that its effects may not be entirely benign, prompting Thai consumers to reconsider their dietary choices in light of emerging evidence.

As the cost of groceries rises and quick meal options are in high demand, canned tuna remains a popular staple in the pantries of households across the globe—including Thailand. Lauded for its convenience, protein content, and long shelf life, canned tuna often stars in salads, sandwiches, and school lunchboxes. Yet as new research suggests, the decision to make canned tuna a daily habit deserves a closer look, especially for health-conscious Thais and vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.

A recent warning from health experts has highlighted that a widespread kitchen habit—reusing cooking oil for frying—could unknowingly raise cholesterol levels, putting millions at risk of long-term heart disease. While many Thai families reuse their cooking oil as a way to save money and reduce waste, mounting scientific evidence reveals this common practice could be a silent contributor to elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, making it an urgent public health concern.

For generations, water spinach—known locally as “pak boong”—has been a staple green vegetable in Thai cuisine, cropping up in everything from fiery stir-fries to refreshing soups. Across Southeast Asia, its common names include morning glory and Ipomoea aquatica. While praised for its affordability, taste, and nutritional value, recent scientific studies reveal both notable health benefits and underappreciated risks associated with this aquatic vegetable. Understanding these factors can help Thai consumers make informed decisions and enjoy water spinach as part of a healthy diet.

A growing number of busy Thais, seeking fast and nutritious breakfasts, are wondering if liquid eggs found on supermarket shelves are as healthy as their shell-bound counterparts. Fresh insights from registered dietitians, as detailed in a recent feature by Today.com, clarify the nutritional similarities, health benefits, and trade-offs of choosing between liquid pasteurized eggs and traditional eggs — an important consideration as egg prices and convenience influence shopping decisions in Thailand and globally (Today.com).