Dangers of Food Additives

"Did you know it's against the law to expose people to a drug found to induce cancer in experimental animals?" (it is called the "Delaney Clause.") "Doing so amounts to genocide and treason, both of which, as I understand it, are still illegal" (Douglass, 2007 p.1). This quote is pertaining to the dangers of the artificial sweetener aspartame, which was denied approval for 16 years by the FDA until the Reagan administration and the addition of Donald Rumsfeld. One of his first acts in office was to appoint a new FDA commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes, which in 1981, despite clear decisive evidence that the neurotoxin aspartame induced brain tumors in lab animals, was approved for human consumption (Douglass, 2007).

The additives put in food have been questioned for years yet nothing is done to stop the addition of these hazardous chemicals despite research of the harm they pose. Consumption of this "tainted" food is caused by a lack of accountability to these risks and the lack of acknowledgment by these manufacturers to post the warnings to people's health. Every day, out of convenience, people pop a pre-packaged food product into the microwave and never even think of what is in that food by way of preservatives, coloring, or even the danger from the leeching of packaging materials into that food. To actually stop and read a food label almost requires a degree in science to understand it; seeing words like disodium guanylate, TBHQ, orthophosphate, or monosodium glutamate, consumers ingest these things without any knowledge as to what they are or what they do. Along with these additives the need to think about the pesticides used on the produce as well as the hormones and antibiotics in the dairy and meat is important. Each person can make a difference by speaking up about this and making better choices for themselves and their families. The detrimental effect of food additives is a very real, so presenting a solid argument against the use of them is imperative. People have to be aware and pro-active in their health so the necessary changes can be made to make their lives safer and healthier. The dangers of the additives in food are a concern because of health issues linked to them. Small changes in diet can have a big impact on health, the food industry, as well as the planet.

Let's begin looking into the some of the additives put into food, these are the ones that have been determined should not be used because of being unsafe or very poorly tested and not worth the risk. One chemical aspartame (equal), an artificial sweetener, is still on the market and used regularly by many people, without even knowing, despite the warnings that surround it. New Italian research in animals has shown that long term consumption may increase the risk of leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer (Jacobson, 2008). Another, Acesulfame Potassium, an artificial sweetener, found in many things such as chewing gum, diet soda, no-sugar added baked goods, and others is another possible cancer causing chemical people are consuming. This was found out back in the 70's from poorly done safety tests, yet the Food and Drug Administration has refused to require better tests even though the threat of cancer is present (Nutrition Action Health Letter, 2008).

To point out how ingestion of these toxic substances is done without knowledge look at a pack of Stride gum, a new brand of chewing gum, read the ingredients, what is found is disturbing, four of the ingredients listed are aspartame, acesulfame potassium, yellow dye 5, and yellow dye 6 (discussed later on) which all are listed as not to be used harmful additives. This discovery brings the realization of how vulnerable consumers really as people eat these chemicals in very dangerous quantities without even knowing it. Linda Antinoro (2008) reports that potassium bromate used as a dough conditioner has been linked to cancer in studies done on animals and it has been removed from most products but is still out there in some bread and rolls. So until it is banned by the United States, as it has been in most other countries, scan the ingredient list on breads and rolls. Michael Jacobson (2008) says there are also a number of dyes that are used in many products that should be avoided here are a few, artificial coloring (blue 2) used in beverages, candy, and pet food, showed in a large study that it caused brain tumors in male mice yet the Food and Drug Administration concluded that there is "reasonable certainty of no harm". Red 3 found in baked goods, candy, cherries in fruit cocktail was temporarily banned by the FDA because of evidence it caused thyroid tumors in rats until it was overruled by pressure from the Reagan Administration. While another dye, Yellow 6 (third most widely used) found in baked goods, beverages, candy, gelatin and sausage had industry sponsored animal tests done that showed it caused tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney, while small amounts of several carcinogens can contaminate Yellow 6.

Even after what the tests showed the FDA concluded that this coloring does not endanger humans (this dye can cause allergic reactions too). Cochineal (or Carmine), artificial coloring used in beverages, candy, ice cream, and yogurt, is actually made from dried, pulverized bodies of insects and though carmine is a more purified coloring made from cochineal they both have caused rare allergic reactions from hives to anaphylactic shock. Brand names such as Yoplait yogurt, Tropicana grapefruit juice, Good and Plenty candies are just a few of the common foods that contain this additive it gives food that pink color. Up until now the FDA did not require these companies to list this, cochineal or carmine, it is only listed as an "artificial color" but there is a new regulation going into effect from the FDA requiring labeling of this additive but doesn't go into effect until January 5, 2011 (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr09015a.html). These are just a few of the chemicals people are ingesting all the time unaware of the dangers they present.

People face a lot of problems in this world but the ones that have been presented in this article is something that can change by speaking out against it or by changing what and how consumers buy food. Deciding to make some changes is a productive step towards becoming healthier and pro-active in making the world a little greener. There is a lot of information to absorb about the nutritional dangers people face but if consumers just begin a step at a time it could cause a positive change and people will all be better off for it while leaving future generations a better world. So the next time people go grocery shopping they should take a few minutes to read along with thinking about what they are buying and make a more informed decision.

Antinoro, L. (2008, May). Environmental Nutrition. The Newsletter of Food, Nutrition&Health, 31, Retrieved January 20, 2009, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=31697312&site=ehost-live

Douglass, W. (2007). Real Health Breakthroughs. The Douglass Report, Retrieved January 29, 2009, from http://www.douglassreport.com/

Jacobson, M. (2008, April). Diet & ADHD. Nutrition Action Healthletter, 35, Retrieved January 20, 2009, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=31466123&site=ehost-live

Jacobson, M. (2008, October). Food Additive Loopholes. Nutrition Action Healthletter, 35, Retrieved January 20, 2009, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=34482982&site=ehost-live

Nutrition Action Health Letter, (2008, May). Chemical cuisine (cover story). Nutrition Action Health Letter, 35, Retrieved January 20, 2009, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=31930196&site=ehost-live