Some ingredients on the food labels may sound utterly confusing and mysterious.  This list may help you decide what you may or may not want as part of your diet:

Acetic acid – acid or vinegar is acetic acid; has many food uses.  Naturally occurring.

Ammonium alginate – used as a stabilizer, thickener and texturizer.  This additive is extracted from seaweed.  Widespread food use.

Annato – used as a coloring agent.  It is extracted from seed of Bixa orellana.  This additive is found in butter, cheese, margarine, shortening and sausage casings.

*Aspartame – used as a low calorie artificial sweetener.  It is found is soft drinks, chewing gum, powdered beverages, gelatin.  The jury is out regarding the safety of this additive. 

Azodicarbonamide- used as a flour bleaching agent.  As a food additive azodicarbonamide is banned for use in Australia and in Europe. Its alternative use is in the production of  foamed plastics.

Benzoic acid -  is an organic compound and is used as  food preservative. Benzoic acid inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria.  Benzoic acid is naturally occurring and is found in most berries.

Benzoyl peroxide – functions as a flour treating agent.  It is used to bleach flour and is used in cheese production.

Beta-apo-8 carotenol -  functions as coloring agent.  Beta-apo-8 carotenol is a natural food coloring agent.  General use not to exceed 30mg per lb or pt of food.

*Blue #1 – is a coloring agent.  It is derived from coal tar. Blue#1 is used to color candies, baked goods, soft drinks and desserts.  Several studies have linked Blue#1 to the formation of malignant tumors.

*BHA and BHT – functions as a preservative in food productions.  It is used to keep oils and fats from going rancid.  Commonly BHA and BHT are used together.

Carrageenan – used as a thickening agent.  It is derived from seaweed or algae.  It can be found in foods such as yogurts, chocolate milk, ice cream, wine and beer.  It is also used to prepare deodorants and toothpaste.

Cellulose gum – used as a food thickening agent in food manufacturing ( baking goods, protein beverages, instant beverages, dressings, soups and more).   It is based on natural cellulose strains such as cotton seed.  Legal status of this additive differs from country to country.

Dextrose – a.k.a. glucose.  It is a natural additive derived from corn starch.  Major uses of dextrose are confection, wine, and canning industries.  It is also used in production of caramel.

Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate – functions as an emulsifier and surface acting agent.  It us used in gelatin desserts, dry beverages, fruit juice drinks; used in production of cane sugar and canning.  Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate is also used as a laxative and as a stool softener.

Karaya gum – functions as a stabilizer and thickener.  Derived from dried extract of Sterculia urens.  This additive is used in variety of foods and is also used in in the production of cosmetics and denture adhesive products. Karaya gum is generally recognized as safe.

Mannitol – functions as nutritive sweetener, stabilizer and thickener in food manufacturing as well as in pharmaceutical industry.  Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is used in dusting powder for chewing gum to prevent sticking and is used  as chocolate-flavored coating agent for ice-cream and confections. In medicine mannitol is used as an osmotic diuretic.

Methylparaben – functions as an water-soluble antimicrobial agent in the production of food, beverage and pharmaceuticals.  Even though it is synthesized in the laboratory, its molecular structure is identical to the one that occurs in nature.

*Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) – is used as a flavor enhancer in many packaged food, fast food retailers, salad dressings, soups and much more.  Many studies have linked MSG to sudden cardiac death and ill effects such as headache, nausea and vomiting.

Polydextrose - classified as soluble fiber and FDA approved in 1981.  Polydextrose is manufacured form of ” soluble fiber”.  It is used as a replacement for sugar, starch and fat in various products such as candies, soda, breakfast cereals, puddings, salad dressing and more.

Phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) – functions as an emulsifier and surface active agent. Normal tissue component of the body; naturally occurring in eggs.  It is also commercially derived from soybeans.  Phosphatidylcholine is used in the production of chocolate, margarine and many other foods.

*Red #40 – is a synthetic food dye.  It is found in many baked goods, vanilla frosting, candies, many chewing gums, skittles, M&Ms and much more.  Even though Red #40 has been approved by FDA, many studies have linked this additive to the formation of malignant tumors. 

Titanium Dioxide – a.k.a Pigment White 6.  It is used as a pigment not only in food, but also in paint, sunscreen along with many other applications.  Even though titanium dioxide is naturally occurring, jury is still out in regards to its safety in food manufacturing.

*Yellow #5  a.k.a tartrazine-is a synthetic food dye used in foods such as soft drinks, soups, sauces, ice cream, Doritos, candies, jams, jellies and much more.  This additive is banned in Norway.

Xylitol - is a sugar alcohol.  Main ingredient, xylose, occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, corncobs.  In food manufacturing it is extracted from birch wood chips.  Xylitol is used in chewing gum and various dietetic products.

* It is recommended to avoid the consumption of these additives.  Even though no dominant studies have proven for these additives to be banned from the food production in United States, many countries have already prohibited the use of some of these additives.

NOTE: Most questionable additives are primarily found in pre-packaged foods of low nutritional value.  Making healthy choices such as fresh fruit, vegetables and other whole foods will eliminate most of these unwanted compounds.

Stay healthy and e-mail me at dan@topbalancenutrition.com