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Preservatives & Foods Additives
Here are some facts on Additives, Preservatives and Colorings:
- On average, we ingest 2-5 lbs of chemical additives a year
- Over 6,000 chemicals are used in commercially available foods
- Adequate studies on the effects of these chemicals have not been done
| Common Food Additives |
Acidic or
Alkaline Agents |
- Function: To enhance flavor,
Preservatives to inhibit microbial growth;
Antioxidants to prevent discoloration;
Reduce risk of botulism from vegetables
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| Alginates |
- Function: To stabilize and impart creamy texture to processed foods
- Examples include: Ammonium, calcium, potassium, sodium, glycol alginate and algin derivatives
- Found in: ice cream, salad dressings, cheese spreads, frozen dinners
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| Anti-caking agents |
- Function: To absorb moisture and help to prevent lumping in powdered food products
- Examples include: magnesium stearate, calcium silicate
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| Antimicrobial agents |
- Function: Preservatives inhibit molds and fungal growth
- Examples include: sodium benzoate, benzoic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Effects: They can affect the nervous system; contribute to asthma, may stomach irritations as well as hyperactivity in kids
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| Antioxidants* |
- Function: Prevent discoloration and protect fats from rancidity
- Examples include: BHA, BHT, alpha tocopherol and ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
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| Aspartame** |
- Function: Sweetening agent
- Fact: 10% is methanol – which can convert to deadly neurotoxins
- Effects: May cause headaches, dizziness, behavioral problems, convulsions, diarrhea, memory loss, itching, hives/swelling of lips, anxiety attacks, mouth, tongue, throat; possible brain damage in infants.
Found in diet foods/drinks, gelatins, soft drinks, fruit drink mixes, Equal
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| Coloring*** |
- Function: To make food more visually appealing
- Examples include: tartrazine (FD&C yellow No. 5)
- Effects: May cause allergies/asthma; and can be carcinogenic.
Found in soft drinks, candy, desserts and drugs
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| Curing agents |
- Function: Preservatives used to prevent clostridium botulinum in meats
- Example includes: Sodium nitrates, nitrites
- Found in: cured meats such as deli meats, hot dogs, pork, sausage, ham and bacon
- Effects: These chemicals combine with stomach fluids to form nitrosamines, which can cause cancer
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| Dough Conditioners |
- Examples include calcium bromate and potassium bromate
- Found in: baked goods, breads, bread crumbs, refrigerated dough
- Effects: Can be toxic in large doses
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| Flavorings**** |
- Function: There are approximately 1500 different flavors used to enhance food flavor
- Examples include: MSG, butyl acetate, benzaldehyde, methyl salicylates, benzyl alcohol
- Effects: May cause hyperactivity in kids
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| Humectants |
- Function: Used to retain moisture and texture
- Examples include: glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol
- Found in: candy, shredded coconut, marshmallows
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| Leavening agents |
- Function: Creates light texture in breads and cake
- Found in: Yeast, baking powder, baking soda
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| Propyl Gallate |
- Function: Antioxidant keeps fats from turning rancid
- Found in: frozen dinners, gravy mixes, turkey sausage
- Effects: May precipitate allergic/asthmatic reactions
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| Sequestrants |
- Function: Bind with metal particles. Preserve food by slowing rancidity in products containing fat (margarine, salad dressings, frozen dinners, beans).
- Examples include: EDTA, citric acid
- Effect: Removes essential minerals from body
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| Stabilizers, thickeners |
- Function: Absorbs water to impart a smooth texture and uniform color and prevents ice crystal formation
- Found in: candy, ice cream, chocolate milk; pectin, vegetables gums (guar, carrageenan), gelatins, agars
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| Sulfites |
- Functions: Used as preservatives, antioxidants and to prevent browning
- Examples include: Sodium or potassium sulfite or bisulfate, sodium or potassium metabisulfite, sulfur dioxide
- Found in: wine, beer, citrus drinks, potato chips/ fries, vinegars, salad dressings, dried fruits, medications
- Effects: May destroy vitamin B1 in foods, may cause problems for people with severe asthma (sulfur dioxide (gas) can be inhaled while eating the sulfited food which may irritate the lungs and send an asthmatic into severe bronchospasm)
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* BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
- These are closely related chemicals (preservatives, antioxidants) added to oil-containing foods in order to prevent oxidation, prolong shelf life;
- Can affect nervous system;
- Possible carcinogens - induced tumors in rats stomachs;
- BHT may convert hormones and oral contraceptives into carcinogens;
- Found in: cereals, instant potato flakes, frozen dinners, baked goods, fruit drinks.
** Aspartame is marketed as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Canderel, Benevia.
You may find aspartame in:
- Chewing gum, candy
- Diet soft drinks, iced tea
- Yogurt (sugar-free)
- Breath mints
- Gelatin, frozen desserts
- Juices
- Wine coolers
- Over-the-counter drugs
*** Tartrazine (Yellow Dye No. 5) is a coal-tar derivative used to color foods, cosmetics, and other products. Yellow dye No. 5 may be carcinogenic, may cause allergies, asthma, has been linked to ADD/hyperactivity, migraines, thyroid
cancer, lupus
Can be found in:
- Prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutical drugs, aspirin, birth
control pills
- Soft drinks
- Skim milk, butter/margarine
- Orange colored cheeses
- Kraft Dinner
- Orange colored snacks (cheezies, Doritos, etc.)
- Candy, gelatin and puddings
- Ice Cream
- Mountain Dew, artificially colored drinks
- Boxed breakfast cereals
- Shrimp
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Pastas, breads, cakes, and other baked goods (containing "candied fruit")
- Wasabi
- Alcoholic drinks (sours and some beer!)
- Shampoo, cosmetics, lotions
- Toothpaste
- Vitamins
**** Monosodium Glutamate:
There are many different names/terminology for MSG. Some of them include:
- Isolated protein source
- Autolysed yeast
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Hydrolyzed yeast
- Vegetable powder
- Natural flavours
- Glutamate
- Caseinate
- Yeast extract
Can be found in: Chinese food; garlic power, seasonings, soups, bouillon cubes, soup stock, anything breaded, Accent (pure MSG), flavored potato chips and seasoned nuts
Splenda is also known as sucralose.
- It is a chlorinated sucrose derivative
- There are independent controlled or long-term human studies conducted on Splenda.
- Pre-approval research shows Splenda shrinks the thymus (up to 40%), and may enlarge the liver & kidneys
- Long-term use may contribute to serious immunological or neurological disorders
Sugar:
Ingredients that end in “ose”
- Brown sugar
- Corn syrup, corn syrup solids
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Glucose
- Grape juice
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Malt syrup
- Maltodextrin
- Mannitol
- Maple syrup
- Molasses
- Raw sugar
- Sorbitol
- Sorghum
- Sucrose
- Turbinado
- Xylitol
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