Other Ingredients

Many common ingredients in foods are linked to a range of health problems such as cancer¹.

Acesulfame-K

• Found in baked goods, chewing gum, gelatin desserts, diet soda, and some commercial sugar substitutes
• Originally only allowed in the United States in sugar free baked good, chewing gum, and gelatin desserts
• FDA allowed acesulfame-K to be used in soft drinks in 1998
• Animal tests suggest acesulfame-K might cause cancer

Artificial Colors

• Artificial colors are synthetic colors
• Sometimes made from petroleum and coal tar
• Found in foods with low nutritional value
• Any dye on a label indicated through a color and number is synthetic
• Animal tests suggest many artificial colors might cause cancer

Aspartame

• Found in diet foods such as soft drinks, drink mixes, gelatin desserts, low-calorie frozen desserts, and packets
• Contains methanol, which the body breaks down into formaldehyde
• Animal tests suggest aspartame might cause cancer or neurological problems

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)

• Found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils
• BHA is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (cancer causing agent)"according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2005 11th Report on Carcinogens

MSG

• Found in fast foods and most processed foods
• Flavor enhancing ingredient
• Comes under many aliases such as vegetable protein, spices, and seasonings
• Created in Japan and introduced to the United States after World War II
• Animal tests suggest MSG might cause neurological reactions, nervous system overstimulation, cell death, emotional, and hormonal dysfunction

Saccharin

• Found in diet, no sugar added products, soft drinks, and sweetener packets
• Animal tests suggest saccharin might cause cancer

Sodium Nitrate

• Found in coloring, flavoring, bacon, ham, frankfurters, luncheon meats, smoked fish, and corned beef.
• Stabilizes color and enhances flavor
• Tests suggest sodium nitrate and sodium nitrate may cause cancer

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Reference

1. Center for Science in the Public Interest