I’d like to share a little story with you. It goes something like this…

I just made 5 sandwiches for $15.00:

1 loaf of bread from the local bakery = $3
1 pound of all-natural, deli-sliced chicken = $10
1 head of iceberg lettuce = $1
2 fresh tomatoes = $1

Now, allow me to show you how Subway (for double the cost) makes that “same sandwich” (as pictured in their website marketing). Buckle up – This recipe list will get UGLY:

Multi-part, emulsified chicken breast and rib meat. Water. Chicken-type flavor. Potassium chloride. Maltodextrin. Sugar. Autolyzed yeast extract. Gum arabic. Molasses. Salt. Lactic acid. Disodium guanylate. Disodium inosinate. Fructose. Medium chain triglycerides. Dextrose. Succinic acid. Vinegar solids. Thiamine hydrochloride. Artificial flavors. Soy protein concentrate. Modified potato starch. Sodium phosphates. Salt. Wheat flour. Malted barley flour. Niacin. Iron. Thiamine mononitrate. Riboflavin. Folic acid. Yeast. Whole wheat flour. Sugar. Wheat gluten. Oat fiber. Soybean oil. Wheat bran. Wheat. Rye. Yellow corn. Oats. Triticale. Brown rice. Barley. Flaxseed. Millet. Sorghum. Yeast nutrients. Calcium carbonate. Calcium sulfate. Ammonium sulfate. D2. Dough conditioners. Diacetyl tartaric acid ester of monoglycerides. Sodium stearoyl lactylate. Potassium iodate. Ascorbic acid. Azodicarbonamide. Caramel color. Refinery syrup. Honey. Yeast extract. Natural flavor. Enzymes. Lettuce. Tomato. Red onion. Cucumber. Processed cultured milk. Processed skim milk. Cream. Sodium citrate. Sodium phosphate. Sorbic acid. Acetic acid. Enzymes. Lecithin. Water. Soybean oil. Food starch-modified. Distilled vinegar. Egg yolks. Contains less than 2% of eggs. Salt. Spice. Potassium sorbate. Phosphoric acid. Calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Ladies&Gentlemen, That’s a 19-syllable ingredient – WTF?). DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Extractive of paprika. Soy lecithin. Phylloquinone.

SOURCE: Subway’s nearly impossible to locate January 2014 Revised Ingredients PDF – I dare you to find this report on Subway’s website in 5 minutes or less. Ready. Set. GO!

WAKE UP, AMERICA – 93 INGREDIENTS IN A DAMN CHICKEN SANDWICH! And, if that alone does not strike a chord & catch your attention – Here is your official WARNING:

You may recall a host of my Subway rants this past summer highlighting the incredibly unhealthy content within Subway’s products, despite fresh, savvy marketing suggesting the contrary – including branding support from our First Lady. In fact, I presented a case that consuming Subway may be as health-adverse as consuming any other form of “fast food” (ie. Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Burger King, etc.).

Well… last month, a fellow blogger, Vani Hari of FoodBabe, called attention to the same issue & initiated a petition that went viral – THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of signatures later (after only a matter of days), SUBWAY HAS OFFICIALLY ADMITTED GUILT for processing their “bread-like product” with the chemical known as, AZODIACARBONAMIDE (good luck pronouncing that).

So, what is, Azodiacarbonamide? Are you sure you want to know?! If yes, proceed forward. If no, turn back in the direction you arrived.

Answer: It is the commonly used chemical to enhance elasticity in products ranging from yoga mats, to shoe rubber & synthetic leathers. And… you, your family & children have been fed this chemical in Subway’s breads, wraps & pitas for years.

According to Vani’s research & posting on topic, the following has been demonstrated to be known of Azodicarbonamide:

Due to legal restrictions on use of this chemical internationally, Subway is not permitted to use Azodicarbonamide in Europe, Australia, & other parts of the world.
The World Health Organization has linked the chemical to respiratory issues, allergies and asthma.
When a truck carrying azodicarbonamide overturned on a Chicago highway in 2001, it prompted city officials to issue the highest hazardous materials alert and evacuate people within a half mile radius! Many of the people on the scene complained of burning eyes and skin irritation as a result.
The U.K. Health And Safety Executive has recognized azodicarbonamide as a potential cause of asthma.
When azodicarbonamide is heated, there are studies that show it is linked to tumor development and cancer.
Not only is this ingredient banned in Europe and Australia, but you also get fined $450,000 if you get caught using it in Singapore and can serve 15 years in prison.

Unfortunately, Subways admission of guilt is not the end of this story.

As of this evening, Subway has advised they will CONTINUE SELLING THE EXISTING PRODUCT SUPPLY, LACED WITH AZODIACARBONAMIDE, while they think through “the process of removing Azodiacarbonamide as part of their bread.”

Sadly, not surprising. But, sincerely disappointing (and scary) – another corporate organization with sight lost of the foundations upon which it was established, elevating greed & drive for profit, over the health & well-being of it’s patrons.

Subway now has a real opportunity to take a stand, make a statement on behalf of the greater “fast food” industry, their specific organization & customers. But, until they do…

1. HOLD SUBWAY ACCOUNTABLE WITH HOW YOU CHOOSE TO ALLOCATE YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY.
2. Sign the petition – Addressed to Fred DeLuca (Subway CEO), by clicking on the photo below:

3. For the love of your healthy, do NOT consume Subway products.
4. To ensure your loved ones are empowered with awareness in their dietary choices, share this message.
5. MAKE YOUR OWN SANDWICHES!