Buzz
Food plays a crucial role in our daily lives by providing essential nutrients, energy, and satisfying our taste buds. Whether it’s a hearty breakfast, a filling lunch, tasty snacks, or a sweet dessert, food can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of dietary habits or restrictions.
With nearly a third of Americans consuming processed foods, it’s important to understand what’s in your food—especially when certain ingredients are banned elsewhere. From chemicals used in bread (yes, even yoga mat ingredients!) to the FDA banning partially hydrogenated oils, many ingredients are often hidden from the average consumer.
10. Brominated Vegetable Oil
Coca-Cola is a global beverage company known for its wide range of drinks. It’s also infamous for including a chemical flame-retardant in some of its beverages.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in fruit-flavored beverages to help enhance flavor. While the FDA has deemed the levels of BVO safe, concerns arose when it was discovered that BVO is also used to make materials like clothing less flammable. BVO was found in some Coca-Cola drinks, including the well-known sports drink Powerade, as well as certain sodas.
Despite the FDA's claim that BVO is safe in beverages, research began to show otherwise. Studies revealed troubling side effects, including memory loss, increased headaches, and loss of coordination, particularly when BVO was consumed frequently. This raised concerns, especially since Powerade, marketed as a healthier alternative to Gatorade, was targeted at health-conscious athletes. After being alerted to these risks, Coca-Cola decided to remove BVO from its Powerade line, although it was unclear if similar action would be taken for their sodas. Meanwhile, PepsiCo had already eliminated BVO from Gatorade, reassuring customers that Mountain Dew's ingredients were safe.
BVO is banned in food products in countries like Japan and throughout the European Union.
9. Tartrazine
Kraft Mac and Cheese is a beloved dish around the world, enjoyed by people of all ages, though it is often marketed toward children. While its creamy, cheesy appeal brings together generations, one key ingredient that links them is yellow food dye #5.
Tartrazine, also known as yellow food dye #5, is a synthetic dye used to enhance the color and brightness of food. While it's primarily added to food, it is also approved for use in textiles. Like all food additives, dyes must be approved by the FDA. However, after its initial approval, tartrazine hasn't been reassessed, and the health risks linked to this chemical have raised concerns among consumers.
Kraft Mac and Cheese enjoys immense popularity in the U.S., but it’s especially loved in Canada, where consumption is nearly 55% higher than in the U.S. However, unlike countries like the United Kingdom, Norway, and Austria, where tartrazine has been banned due to its harmful effects on children, the United States and Canada have not placed any restrictions on yellow dye #5. This dye is also found in a range of other foods, such as cereals, candies, pie fillings, crackers, and even Doritos.
The growing public concern about yellow dye #5 led General Mills to reformulate their cereals, including Cap‘n Crunch, to eliminate artificial dyes. In 2016, Mars made a similar commitment, announcing their plans to remove artificial dyes, although they estimated the process would take at least five years.
8. Titanium Dioxide
Foods like powdered donuts, yogurt, icing, ranch dressing, and mayonnaise are often strikingly white. This bright, clean appearance contrasts beautifully with the vibrant colors of other foods, especially in food photography. The reason for this white color? Titanium dioxide.
Titanium dioxide, a chemical commonly found in products like sunblock, plastics, and paint, can have harmful effects when consumed in large amounts. The FDA allows it to be used in food up to a concentration of 1 percent without requiring special labeling. The main concern with titanium dioxide lies in its nanoparticles, which, if consumed excessively, may lead to issues such as digestive inflammation, clastogenicity, potential neurological damage, and even tumor development.
However, significant health risks would only arise from consuming large quantities—far more than just a box of powdered donuts. Nevertheless, after concerns surfaced, some companies, such as Dunkin' Donuts, decided to stop using titanium dioxide in their products.
While titanium dioxide is still approved by the FDA, it is currently under review in France, which is considering a nationwide ban on its use.
7. Propylene Glycol
The satisfying pop of soda, the refreshing taste of a cold beer on a hot day, and the tangy kick of salad dressing all share one common ingredient: propylene glycol.
Propylene glycol is a water-absorbing liquid that makes it ideal for mixing ingredients that would normally resist combining with water. This versatile substance also serves as a lubricant, aids in the creation of spices, and is used in antifreeze. It contributes to artificial smoke and fog in fog machines as well. The FDA has classified propylene glycol as 'generally recognized as safe,' meaning it can be used in food in established amounts without posing harm.
Despite its approval, propylene glycol is also an ingredient in Fireball, a cinnamon-flavored whiskey. However, Fireball faced a recall when a batch containing propylene glycol was mistakenly shipped to Sweden, Norway, and Finland. In the European Union, propylene glycol is more tightly regulated due to the potential health risks of consuming large amounts. Some of these risks include kidney dysfunction, kidney failure, metabolic issues, and allergic reactions.
While these side effects are rare, they would require consuming around 100g more than the recommended limit. The only reported case involved a man who consumed an excessive amount of Fireball.
6. Azodicarbonamide
Subway's famous 'Eat Fresh' slogan faced criticism when it was discovered that azodicarbonamide, a chemical also used in yoga mats and shoe soles, was included in their sandwiches. This sparked outrage among consumers concerned about the safety of consuming a chemical typically found in non-food products.
Other fast food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Arby’s, as well as Nature's Own bread, are known to include azodicarbonamide in their buns. The FDA permits its use in food at levels up to about 45 parts per million in dough, which is considered a very small quantity. However, there are concerns that azodicarbonamide can trigger long-term issues such as asthma, respiratory problems, and skin and allergic reactions. The Center for Science has urged the FDA to reevaluate its stance, as baking azodicarbonamide in bread could produce a carcinogen called urethane, which poses health risks, particularly to pregnant women.
Azodicarbonamide has been banned in several countries, including Europe, Singapore, and Australia. In response to these concerns, both Subway and Nature’s Own have removed azodicarbonamide from their ingredients list.
5. Diphenylamine
In the classic story of Snow White, the witch’s red apple gleams with an irresistible shine, courtesy of a chemical known as diphenylamine. While the witch’s spell caused Snow White to fall into a coma, diphenylamine, when consumed excessively, can create its own set of problems.
Diphenylamine (DPA) is a colorless, odorless liquid that is commonly used to give apples their glossy shine and prevent bruising, extending their freshness. DPA is also used in lubricants, propellants, and explosives. While small amounts are permitted by the FDA, the European Food Safety Authority has banned DPA-treated apples in Europe due to recent studies suggesting that prolonged exposure to DPA may increase cancer risk. There is a call for more research to fully understand the long-term effects of DPA consumption, as current studies are insufficient.
In the United States, the average concentration of DPA in apples is about 0.42 parts per million, whereas the European Union allows only 0.10 parts per million. With 80% of U.S. apples testing positive for DPA, the European Union will continue its ban until further studies are conducted.
4. Butylated Hydroxyanisole
Imagine if, instead of just chewing the gum, you also chewed its plastic wrapper. Studies have found that butylated hydroxyanisole is present not only in the gum but also in the packaging material.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), along with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), is frequently used as a preservative to extend the shelf life of food. These chemicals are also used in cosmetics to preserve oils, in food packaging, and in certain rubber products. BHA is commonly found in products like gum, nuts, butter, cereals, and even beer. Derived from petroleum, BHA forms a waxy substance when mixed with fats and oils. While it helps preserve food and maintain its aroma, BHA has been associated with digestive problems, blood clotting, hormone disruption, and is known to be a carcinogen—a substance that may increase cancer risk.
The FDA permits a maximum of 0.02% BHA in food products. However, in California, there are strict regulations regarding the use of BHA and BHT, and any product containing these chemicals must display a warning label. Additionally, BHA is listed on Minnesota's Chemicals of High Concern list.
Butylated hydroxyanisole is prohibited in both the United Kingdom and Japan, and its use is regulated across the European Union.
3. Ractopamine
In 2018, the average American consumed about 220 pounds of meat annually, spanning both red and white meats. This totals approximately 100 billion pounds of meat production for the year. With such significant quantities, it’s crucial to understand what is being added to this meat. While growth hormones in milk have been the subject of recent discussions, attention has also turned to the additives found in meat.
Ractopamine, also known as phenethanolamine, is an additive used to make animals leaner and more profitable by encouraging muscle gain rather than fat, despite the animals eating less. While this may seem advantageous, concerns have arisen due to the negative side effects associated with ractopamine. Even after processing, traces of ractopamine often remain in the meat. Studies have shown that 60 to 80 percent of pigs treated with ractopamine have suffered from higher rates of sickness and death compared to pigs raised without the additive. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has raised alarms about the potential long-term effects of ractopamine on human health, including liver and kidney damage, as well as thyroid problems.
Ractopamine is banned for use in livestock in countries like Russia, China, and 26 other nations. Restaurants like Chipotle and grocery stores such as Whole Foods have also decided to exclude ractopamine-treated meats from their offerings.
2. Potassium Bromate
For those who grow impatient waiting for their bread to bake, potassium bromate comes to the rescue. This additive not only speeds up the baking process but also whitens the bread to perfection.
Brominated flour is derived from the same chemicals used in brominated vegetable oil, and can be found in a wide range of bread products, including loaves, wraps, rolls, bagels, pizza crusts, flatbreads, and even breadcrumbs. This flour helps to accelerate baking by binding the gluten and bleaching the bread, giving it a bright, white appearance. However, while it may seem harmless, potassium bromate has been linked to significant health risks, such as an increased chance of cancer, as well as potential kidney and nervous system damage when consumed in excess.
Despite being found in well-known brands like Pillsbury, potassium bromate is absent from Whole Foods' list of approved ingredients and is rarely used by large restaurant chains.
Potassium bromate is banned in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil. In California, products containing it are required to carry a warning label.
1. Partially hydrogenated oils
Have you ever wondered how certain processed foods, like candy, frosting, and even frozen pizza, can stay fresh for so long? The secret lies in partially hydrogenated oils.
Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are used in products like frosting to prolong their shelf life, which benefits manufacturers, but unfortunately, they also contribute to increased levels of trans fats in the food. For years, PHOs were considered 'generally recognized as safe' by the FDA. However, in 2018, the FDA reversed this stance and granted manufacturers a three-year grace period to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils from their products. The negative effects of PHOs include raising blood cholesterol levels, increasing the likelihood of heart disease, and potentially leading to digestive issues.
Since 2004, Denmark has outlawed the use of partially hydrogenated oils, and countries like Thailand, other European Union members, and now the United States have followed suit in banning them.
