A food additive is a chemical that is added to your food during storage or preparation. This substance then becomes a part of the food or alters its characteristics in order to produce a certain effect. Food additives include coloring agents, anti-caking agents, preservatives, and certain sweeteners. There are some concerns that these additives may contribute to poor health or hyperactive behaviors. You should monitor your own intake and consult your doctor about any concerns.
Use of Food Additives
Food additives can serve many different purposes. Preservatives act to prevent bacterial spoilage that can lead to food wastage or food poisoning. This is important for foods that are transported from distant areas of the world, or for foods that will not be eaten immediately. Coloring agents are added to foods to add color to the end product. You may see these additives in baked cookies, pies, and cakes. Sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, stevia, and sugar alcohols add sweetness to foods without the calories. Other roles of additives include enhancing the appearance of foods.
Safety of Additives
According to the Food Additives and Ingredients Association (FAIA), additives can only be used in foods after they have been adequately tested, proven to be safe, and added to a list that shows which foods are approved for use. According to FAIA, sometimes an upper limit of the quantity of an additive that can safely be used is included on packaging. If an additive is later shown to potentially cause health problems, it can be withdrawn from approval as a safe substance.
Food Additives and Cancer
There has been some concern that certain artificial sweeteners may be linked to cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, aspartame is a food additive that does not cause cancer. Saccharin and cyclamates are two artificial sweeteners that have caused cancer in laboratory rats who have consumed high doses. However, there is no evidence that these sweeteners are associated with cancer in humans. The Canadian Cancer Society advises that you use artificial sweeteners in moderation.
Additives and ADHD
Food additives have been linked to ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. This disorder often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It is characterized by hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. According to MayoClinic.com, there is no evidence that food additives can cause ADHD. However, research has indicated that food colorings and preservatives may trigger or worsen hyperactive behavior in children. Research has examined a combination of food additives and their effects on ADHD, and therefore it is not clear which additives specifically may affect behavior.
You can monitor your reaction or your child's reaction to food additives and consult a doctor about whether an elimination diet might benefit you. An elimination diet involves eliminating certain food substances or ingredients one at a time for a trial period to see if certain symptoms improve, stay the same, or worsen.
References
- Health Canada; Food Additives; December 6, 2010
- Food Additives and Ingredients Association: Why Do We Need Food Additives?
- Food Additives and Ingredients Association: How Safe Are Additives?
- Canadian Cancer Society; Food Additives and Cancer; February 16, 2011
- MayoClinic.com: ADHD Diet: Do Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity?
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