Elon Musk: “I Show You 15 Products You’ll Stop Buying After You Know What They’re Made Of”

When Elon Musk claimed he would reveal 15 products we’d stop buying once we learned how they’re made, he wasn’t joking. From seafood to processed food, the reality behind these products is shocking. Let’s break them down one by one.

1. Seafood Industry

Elon Musk, once a self-proclaimed fish lover, admitted in an interview that he couldn’t stomach seafood anymore after uncovering the disturbing truths of the industry. The pristine image of the seafood industry is a façade hiding a dark reality.

Industrial fishing operations use massive trawlers that capture everything in their path, including endangered species and unintended marine life, disrupting ocean ecosystems. Once caught, fish are transported in unsanitary conditions, often sitting in pools of dirty water, raising concerns about hygiene and quality. If you want to continue eating seafood guilt-free, choosing sustainable, ethically sourced options is essential—or as Elon suggests, perhaps it’s time to rethink fish altogether.

2. Margarine

Margarine is marketed as a healthier alternative to butter, but once you learn how it’s made, you might think twice before spreading it on your toast. The process involves intense heating, chemical treatments, and hydrogenation, creating harmful trans fats that increase the risk of heart disease. The use of chemical solvents, emulsifiers, and artificial colors makes margarine a highly processed and questionable food product. To make matters worse, many vegetable oils used in margarine come from genetically modified crops treated with chemicals like glyphosate, linked to numerous health risks.

3. Kopi Luwak Coffee

Kopi Luwak, one of the world’s most expensive coffees, is made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of civet cats. While the concept may sound exotic, the reality is grim. Many civets are confined in tiny cages and force-fed coffee cherries, leading to malnutrition and stress. Moreover, studies show that over 80% of Kopi Luwak on the market is fake. The ethical and quality concerns make it clear that opting for high-quality, ethically sourced coffee is a better choice.

4. Fast Food Burgers

Fast food burgers might seem like an easy meal, but they come with major health and ethical concerns. A single burger can contain meat from multiple cows from different countries, increasing contamination risks. Many burgers also include ammonia-treated fillers known as “pink slime.” With high cholesterol, sodium, and calorie content, fast food burgers contribute to heart disease and obesity.

5. Artificial Vanilla Flavor

Much of the vanilla flavoring in processed foods doesn’t come from vanilla beans. Instead, it is derived from chemical compounds like lignin (from wood pulp) or even castoreum, a secretion from beaver glands used to mimic the aroma of vanilla. While castoreum use is rare today, the reliance on artificial flavoring over real vanilla highlights the food industry’s cost-cutting measures at the expense of quality.

6. Tomato Ketchup

Ketchup is loaded with sugar, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup, which contributes to weight gain, heart disease, and insulin resistance. Its acidity can also cause digestive issues. If you love ketchup, opting for homemade or natural alternatives with minimal additives is a healthier choice.

7. Red Food Dye

Your favorite red-colored foods and drinks might be dyed with crushed insects. Cochineal extract, often labeled as carmine or natural red #4, is made by drying and crushing thousands of cochineal bugs. Though natural, it can trigger allergic reactions. Worse, synthetic red dyes made from petroleum have been linked to hyperactivity in children and potential carcinogenic effects.

8. Canned Mushrooms

Did you know that canned mushrooms legally contain maggots and mites? The FDA allows a certain amount of these contaminants due to the impracticality of eliminating them entirely. While they may not be harmful in small amounts, the idea of consuming them is unsettling. Choosing fresh mushrooms over canned ones is a simple way to avoid these unwanted extras.

9. Store-Bought Bread

Many commercial breads contain an amino acid called L-cysteine, used to soften the dough. The unsettling part? It’s often derived from human hair, collected from barbershops, or from duck feathers. While it is considered safe for consumption, knowing its origins makes fresh, homemade, or artisanal bread a more appealing choice.

10. Farmed Shrimp

Shrimp farming is associated with serious environmental and ethical issues. Mangrove forests are destroyed to make way for shrimp farms, leading to massive carbon emissions. Additionally, many farms use antibiotics and chemicals that pollute local waters. There have even been reports of human trafficking and forced labor in shrimp processing facilities. Sustainable seafood certifications can help guide better choices.

11. Gummy Candy

Gummy candies are made with gelatin, derived from animal bones, skin, and cartilage. Beyond this, they contain high amounts of sugar, artificial flavors, and dyes, leading to blood sugar spikes and potential long-term health issues like diabetes. Many food dyes in gummy candies have been linked to hyperactivity in children and other health concerns.

12. Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are made from a blend of mechanically processed meat, often including gristle, fat, and other animal parts. Sodium nitrate and nitrites, commonly found in hot dogs, have been linked to increased cancer risks. A study even found human DNA in some hot dog samples due to poor hygiene during processing. Given these concerns, plant-based or high-quality butcher alternatives may be better choices.

13. Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn may be convenient, but the chemical coatings inside the bags can be dangerous. Many brands use perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to prevent grease from seeping through the bag. This chemical has been linked to hormone disruption and potential cancer risks. The artificial butter flavoring, diacetyl, has also been associated with respiratory issues in factory workers. Air-popped or stovetop popcorn is a much healthier alternative.

14. Diet Sodas

Diet sodas are marketed as a healthier alternative to regular sodas, but artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose can have negative health effects. Studies have linked them to metabolic disorders, weight gain, and even increased cravings for sugary foods. Some artificial sweeteners have also been found to alter gut bacteria, potentially affecting digestion and overall health.

15. Processed Cheese

Processed cheese slices and spreads contain emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial colors, making them far from real cheese. Many of these additives contribute to inflammation and digestive problems. Instead of processed cheese, opting for natural, high-quality cheeses with minimal additives ensures better taste and health benefits.

Final Thoughts

Elon Musk’s warning about these 15 products isn’t just about shock value—it’s about making informed choices. While some of these ingredients and processes are legally allowed, understanding what goes into the products we consume can help us make healthier and more ethical decisions. Whether it’s choosing fresh, natural alternatives or researching brands that prioritize sustainability, knowledge is power when it comes to what we eat.