1. Food Additives

2. IntroductionIntroduction Food additives are meant to enhance food? In fact they offer no nutritional value and may in some cases be harmful!

3. What is it? Food additives are chemicals added to food to preserve freshness or enhance colour or flavour Food additives become part of a food product either directly or indirectly during processing, storing, or packaging MOST are safe. SOME are hight questionable or not tested enough

4. Found in process food The more processed the food, the more things you are losing in the foods, the more things you have to add to it”

5. Most questionable ones Salt - High sodium intake increases blood pressure, contributing to heart disease. Sugars - corn syrup, dextrose: Leads to obesity, tooth decay... Found in most process foods. Bread, soft drinks, syrups,snacks Sulfites (sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, potassium and sodium bisulfite) - can cause allergic reactions and destroy vitamin B1. Found in dried fruit, dehydrated veg, soup mixes, wine, beer, processed potato products, shrimp, canned vegtables

6. Most questionable... Saccharin and other artificial sweetener (aspartame)- can cause cancer. Found in diet products and soft drinks Sodium Nitrite and nitrate- cancer causing chemicals. Found in processed meats (bacon, hot dogs, ham, smoked

7. Most questionable... Monosodium Glutamate and Hydrolyzed Vegetable protein (contains MSG) - shown to cause headaches, nausea and burning sensation in the neck and upper arms. Found in instant soup, hot dogs, sauce mixes, salad dressing, frozen entrees, restaurant foods..

8. Most questionable.. Artificial colouring - Blue No.1, Blue No.2, Citrus Red No. 2..... - some dyes appear to cause cancer or tumours in animals. Yellow No. 5 can cause allergic reactions. Most dyes found in food with minimal nutritional value. Dyes are found in fruit juices, soft drinks, candy, baked goods, gelatin desserts, and pet food

9. Most questionable... BHA and BHT - some studies found can cause cancer but this isn’t proven. BHA and BHT are found in cereal, potato chips, gum and oils Olestra - shown to cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, and loose stool. Depletes fat soluable vitamins. Found in chips and crackers

10. Most questionable... Trans fatty Acids (most commonly identified as hydrogenated oils): Major contributor to hear disease. Found in margarine, vegetable shortening and many process foods.

11. What to do? Eat the whole food and nothing but the food Ask about additives when dining Read the labels! Talk with your grocer