Today more than ever, it is crucial to understand what you are eating. It is also crucial to realize that numerous banned food additives were once on the "approved" list for human consumption, and it was only through complaints of illness, disease and even death that the additives were actually banned. Today, there are countless food additives eaten every day in thousands of food items. The old adage "buyer beware" certainly holds true in this case. Numerous companies cut corners by producing foods overseas where inexpensive and unhealthy additives can significantly reduce the cost of production, as well as increase their bottom line.
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Used as a food additive, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or HVP, acts as a flavor enhancer in soups, meats, sauces and stews, among other foods. HVP -- usually a derivative of soybeans, but which can also come from other vegetable proteins -- is chemically reduced to amino acids and used to enhance the natural flavors of foods, reducing the need to use what you would consider a reasonable amount of the food item. For instance, the flavor of chicken noodle soup with a lot of noodles and very little chicken is enhanced with HVP. HVP contains MSG, or monosodium glutamate, which can cause adverse reactions in individuals who are sensitive to this ingredient.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, can be found in anything from breakfast cereals to cake mixes to cookies, crackers, applesauce and fruit drinks. Companies have discovered that this sweet syrup is extremely cheap and easy to produce. However, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, HFCS and sugar are equally detrimental to your health.
Artificial Colors and Food Dyes
Artificial colors and food dyes remain the most accepted, then banned food additives, because they are chemically derived synthetic compounds. When used in low- to no-nutritional-value foods, your best bet is to avoid them completely. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, artificial colors may cause hyperactivity in children sensitive to the compounds. Foods can be artificially colored without chemicals, but it tends to cost more. If a product label states "natural color," it means that it has been artificially colored with a natural substance such as beta-carotene.
Banned Additives
A list of banned food additives that were once "approved" for human consumption includes: nitrogen trichloride -- a flour bleaching and aging agent -- cobalt salts, coumarin, cyclamate, ethylene glycol, and numerous others. Banned artificial colors include: butter yellow, Green 1 and 2, Orange 1 and 2, Orange B, Red 1, 2, 4 and 32, Sudan 1, Violet 1, Yellow 1, 2, 3 and 4. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, most of these approved-then-banned additives were proven to cause liver and organ damage, cancer, tumors and internal bleeding, among other illnesses and adverse reactions.
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