FOOD ADDITIVESFOOD ADDITIVES

Misc InformationMisc Information

Organic FoodsOrganic Foods

PesticidesPesticides

Artificial SweetenersArtificial Sweeteners

MSGMSG

PreservativesPreservatives

Food additives used in the U.S. are strictly Food additives used in the U.S. are strictly controlled and pose little cause for concerncontrolled and pose little cause for concern

Incidental food additives are not commonIncidental food additives are not common

BHT protects fruits and vegetables from BHT protects fruits and vegetables from browning caused by exposure to oxygenbrowning caused by exposure to oxygen

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the responsibility of deciding what has the responsibility of deciding what additives shall be in foods.additives shall be in foods.

Contaminants are not intentionally Contaminants are not intentionally used in or on foods.used in or on foods.

GRAS stands for “generally GRAS stands for “generally recognized as safe”recognized as safe”

It includes a list of food additives It includes a list of food additives believed to be safebelieved to be safe

To control the safety of additives in To control the safety of additives in food the FDA has rules food the FDA has rules manufacturers must follow which manufacturers must follow which include submitting proof that a new include submitting proof that a new additive is safe after numerous tests.additive is safe after numerous tests.

The artificial fat OLESTRA The artificial fat OLESTRA passes through the digestive passes through the digestive track undigestedtrack undigested

It is fortified with Vitamin EIt is fortified with Vitamin E

Organic FoodOrganic Food

Are foods meeting strict USDA Are foods meeting strict USDA production regulations for production regulations for organic including:organic including:

Not using synthetic pesticides, Not using synthetic pesticides, herbicides fertilizers, drugs and herbicides fertilizers, drugs and preservatives, and produced preservatives, and produced without genetic engineering or without genetic engineering or irradiation.irradiation.

Organic does not mean Organic does not mean pesticide-free, however they pesticide-free, however they typically have lower levels than typically have lower levels than conventionally grown foods.conventionally grown foods.

Purchasing organic fruits and Purchasing organic fruits and vegetables rather than vegetables rather than conventionally grown foods do conventionally grown foods do not harm the environment.not harm the environment.

Animals are raised in natural Animals are raised in natural surroundings with access to surroundings with access to outdoors.outdoors.

Individuals that purchase Individuals that purchase organic food should:organic food should:

Cook the food properlyCook the food properly Wash raw produce vigorouslyWash raw produce vigorously

PesticidesPesticides

Chemicals used to control insects, Chemicals used to control insects, disease, weeds, fungi, and other animals.disease, weeds, fungi, and other animals.

To reduce your intake of pesticides To reduce your intake of pesticides residues you should:residues you should:

Trim the fat from meatTrim the fat from meat Discard the outer layer of cabbageDiscard the outer layer of cabbage

Most pesticides can be removed by Most pesticides can be removed by washing foods thoroughly.washing foods thoroughly.

Artificial sweetenersArtificial sweeteners Current evidence indicates that moderate Current evidence indicates that moderate

intakes of artificial sweeteners pose no intakes of artificial sweeteners pose no health risks.health risks.

An example of an artificial sweetener that An example of an artificial sweetener that is made from sucrose is suralose.is made from sucrose is suralose.

MSGMSG

Monosodium Glutamate is a Monosodium Glutamate is a flavor enhancerflavor enhancer

Is widely used in Asian Is widely used in Asian restaurantsrestaurants

Can cause symptoms such as Can cause symptoms such as burning and flushing of the skin burning and flushing of the skin and headacheand headache

PreservativesPreservatives Examples of microbial agents are Examples of microbial agents are

salt and sugarsalt and sugar Nitrites are added to foods to inhibit Nitrites are added to foods to inhibit

rancidity and preserve colorrancidity and preserve color Nitrosamines have been know to Nitrosamines have been know to

cause cancer in animalscause cancer in animals Nitrites are commonly found in hot Nitrites are commonly found in hot

dogs and hamdogs and ham

Vitamin C and acetic acid are good Vitamin C and acetic acid are good preservativespreservatives

DYESDYES

Only 10 synthetic color additives are Only 10 synthetic color additives are approved by the FDA for use in foodsapproved by the FDA for use in foods

Coloring agents are allowed no marginal Coloring agents are allowed no marginal riskrisk