Doesn’t matter if they’re big or small, all businesses share a common goal: to make a profit – something they go to great lengths to accomplish. Many of them will utilize whatever tactics they can think of, even the illegal ones or those in the muddy gray area. The more successful businesses however, have a couple of tricks up their sleeves that they don’t want the rest of us to find out. This article will make you aware of some of the shocking secrets you weren’t supposed to know about.

1. They Deliberately Sabotage Their Products So You Will Upgrade 

There are many companies out there who exploit consumers by deliberately creating faulty products. This is known as “planned obsolescence,” and it can be done in one of two ways. The first is by using poor quality materials in certain parts of the product so that it will only last a few years. Carmakers are guilty of this. The second is by adding a rogue code to a software update, causing the electronics to slow down which forces customers to get the latest model – some of the biggest cell phone companies have been accused of this. 

2. Gluten-Free Food Is A Scam  

You’d think that the health industry has your best interest at heart but they’re no more money hungry like any other industry. One of their marketing tactics is gluten-free food, which has sprung up in recent years. The truth is that unless you have certain medical conditions like celiac disease which triggers the body’s immune system, then there’s no reason for healthy individuals to dole out extra cash for gluten-free foods. Only 1 in every 100 individuals have to worry about gluten.

3. Pharmaceutical Companies Pay Physicians To Prescribe Their Drugs

Big Pharma is one of the biggest money-making industries in the entire world. In the 1980s, doctors used to get paid by these companies to prescribe specific drugs to unsuspecting patients. The doctors would also receive free dinners, vacations and trips to the golf course. Since 2002, pharmaceutical companies have been forbidden from bribing physicians. Well, sort of. They can only take them on educational trips and can’t give them gifts over $100. They are also allowed to pay physicians for consulting arrangements.

4. Bottled Water Is Just Tap Water 

Many people say that bottled water is better than tap water. But bottled water is just regular tap water minus the fluoride which was removed during the filtration process. Fluoride is a very important mineral that significantly reduces our chances of developing tooth decay. That’s why the US Environmental Protection Agency requires that fluoride be added to tap water. But the same isn’t done for bottled water. It also doesn’t help that they mislead consumers with pointless labels like “glacier water” or “mountain water.”

5. Supermarkets Add Carbon Monoxide to Make Meat Redder

While it’s true that the redness of meat is an indication of its freshness, this isn’t always the case. You see, meat naturally turns brown or gray after a few days of being cut. To prevent this from happening, supermarkets will expose meat to carbon monoxide, a toxic and deadly chemical. Doing this allows the meat to remain fresh for up to a year. There have been attempts to stop the meat industry from using this chemical but they insist on keeping the tradition alive because consumers won’t buy spoiled meat.