Food manufacturers commonly include a variety of food additives during processing to extend the shelf life and enhance the color, appearance, flavor and texture of their products. The FDA regulates the use of hundreds of food additives included in products marketed in the United States. To determine what food additives are in the products you are considering purchasing, check the list of ingredients.
Acids
Food manufacturers use many types of acids to preserve and enhance the tartness of products. Common food additive acids include acetic, ascorbic, benzoic, citric, erythorbic, fumaric, gluconic, lactic, malic, phosphoric and stearic acid. Benzoic acid is a particularly common food additive found in fruit juice, jam, preserved fruit, beer, pickles and syrups.
Dyes
Many Americans value appearances -- including the visual appeal of food. Food dyes, used to enhance the color of processed foods, are among the most common food additives. These additives impart foods with the colors you have come to expect, such as the crimson of maraschino cherries, the straw shade of margarine, the delicate pink of strawberry ice cream, the neon yellow of mustard and the distinctive brown hue of cola. The FDA has certified nine synthetic food colors, including FD&C green no. 3; FD&C blue no. 1; FD&C blue no. 2; FD&C yellow no. 5; FD&C yellow no. 6; FD&C red no. 3; FD&C red no. 40; citrus red no. 2; and orange B. Although orange B remains listed by the FDA as a certified food coloring, it is no longer used in the United States, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Food dyes made from natural sources do not require FDA certification, such as grape skin extract, caramel color, saffron and beet extract.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG, is a prevalent food additive used to enhance the flavor of foods, such as frozen dinners, snack foods, fast food, cold cuts, bouillon cubes, soup and sauce mixes, boxed dinner mixes and bottled sauces. Some people experience an adverse reaction to MSG. Reported symptoms of MSG sensitivity include nausea, headache, wheezing and weakness. If you experience these symptoms shortly after eating processed food, check the ingredients to determine whether MSG may be the cause.
Sweeteners
Many processed foods contain added sweetening agents to enhance flavor. Some foods contain table sugar or fructose as a sweetening additive. High-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, is a common ingredient in many processed food products you may purchase regularly, including soft drinks, beverage mixes, juices, bottled waters and teas, commercial breads and baked goods, cereals, flavored yogurt, granola bars, ice cream and other frozen desserts, jams and jellies, salad dressings and sauces. Reduced-calorie and sugar-free foods you buy contain artificial sweeteners as food additives, including aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium and sucralose.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Ingredients and Colors
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: Chemical Cuisine, Learn About Food Additives
- University of Bristol School of Chemistry: Preservatives
- MedlinePlus: Food Additives
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Listing of Food Additive Status Part I
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Listing of Food Additive Status Part II
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