Introduction to Food Additives
Shopping was easy when most food came from farms. Now, factory-made food have made
chemical additives a significant part of our diet. Most people may not be able to
pronounce the names of many of these chemicals, but they still want to know what the
chemicals do and whichones are safe and which are poorly tested or dangerous. This listing
provides that information formost common additives. A simple
general rule about additives is to avoid sodium nitrite,saccharin, caffeine, olestra,
acesulfame K, and artificial coloring. Not only are they among the most
questionable additives, but they are used primarily in foods of low nutritional
value.Also,don't forget the two most familiar additives: sugar and salt. They may pose the
greatest risk because we consume so much of them.
SUMMARY OF ADDITIVES' SAFETY
AVOID
The additive is unsafe in the amounts consumed or is very poorly tested.
ACESULFAME POTASSIUM
ARTIFICIAL COLORINGS
BLUE 1
BLUE 2
GREEN 3
RED 3
YELLOW 6
CYCLAMATE
OLESTRA (Olean)
POTASSIUM BROMATE
SACCHARIN
SODIUM NITRITE, SODIUM
NITRATE
CUT BACK
Not toxic, but large amounts may be unsafe or promote bad nutrition.
CAFFEINE
CORN SYRUP
DEXTROSE (CORN SUGAR,
GLUCOSE)
HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE
OIL
INVERT SUGAR
MANNITOL
SALATRIM
SALT
SORBITOL
SUGAR
CAUTION
These additives may pose a risk and need to be better tested. Try to avoid..
ARTIFICIAL COLORINGS
CITRUS RED 2
RED 40
ASPARTAME (Nutrasweet)
BROMINATED VEGETABLE OIL
(BVO)
BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE
(BHA)
BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE
(BHT)
HEPTYL PARABEN
PROPYL GALLATE
QUININE
CERTAIN PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID
May cause allergic reactions or other problems.
ARTIFICIAL COLORINGS
YELLOW 5
ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL
FLAVORING
ASPARTAME (Nutrasweet)
BETA-CAROTENE
CAFFEINE
CARMINE; COCHINEAL
GUM TRAGACANTH
HVP (HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE
PROTEIN)
LACTOSE
MSG (MONOSODIUM
GLUTAMATE)
QUININE
SODIUM BISULFITE,
SULFITES
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SAFE
These appear to be safe, though a few
people may be allergic to any additive.
ALGINATE
ALPHA TOCOPHEROL (Vitamin E)
ASCORBIC ACID (Vitamin C)
BETA-CAROTENE
CALCIUM PROPIONATE
CALCIUM STEAROYL
LACTYLATE
CARRAGEENAN
CASEIN
CITRIC ACID
EDTA
ERYTHORBIC ACID
FERROUS GLUCONATE
FUMARIC ACID
GELATIN
GLYCERIN (Glycerol)
GUMS: Arabic, Furcelleran, Ghatti,
Guar, Karaya, Locust Bean, Xanthan
LACTIC ACID
LECITHIN
MONO- and DIGLYCERIDES
PHOSPHATE SALTS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
POLYSORBATE 60, 65, 80
POTASSIUM SORBATE
PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE
SODIUM ASCORBATE
SODIUM BENZOATE
SODIUM
CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE
(CMC)
SODIUM CASEINATE
SODIUM CITRATE
SODIUM PROPIONATE
SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE
SORBIC ACID
SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE
STARCH, MODIFIED STARCH
SUCRALOSE
THIAMIN MONONITRATE
VANILLIN, ETHYL VANILLIN
from Center for Science in the Public Interest
