Meet The New Dirty Dozen: Food Additives You Should Avoid!

Most of us are aware of The Dirty Dozen list of fruits and vegetables, and now we have a new Dirty Dozen list to be aware of. Food additives are found in almost every processed food we eat, and 10,000 food additives exist. That’s more than all the different food groups, which is insane! Day to day with our busy schedules, food additives may not be of that much concern to us, but with a few simple shopping choices, we don’t have to consume them and we certainly don’t need to if we want to live a healthy life. Of the 10,000 food additives, 12 seem to pose the most danger according to various studies performed over the years on their consumption and health.

The Environmental Working Group has released a Dirty Dozen list to help us identify the top 12  food additives to stay away from. These additives are banned in every other country, except the United States. Hmm…that ought to tell us something about our food supply system and the FDA, wouldn’t you say?

Let’s get real with our food everyone – here are the worst 12 food additives you need to look out for and the health risks you’ll face by consuming them:

1. Nitrites and Nitrates

Commonly found in processed lunch meats, along with cured meats like salami,  nitrates and nitrites are used to help them retain their color for longer amounts of time. Nitrites and nitrates are also high in sodium which acts as a preservative, but could contribute to higher blood pressure. Nitrites and nitrates form cancer-causing compounds once digested and have been directly linked to esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer.

2. Potassium Bromate

This additive is what you’ll find in all those harmless loaves of processed breads on the shelf that claim to be whole grain, high in fiber, heart-healthy, etc. But turning over the package and reading the ingredient list will quickly show you these breads are nothing close to healthy. They’re filled with additives including the preservative potassium bromate, which is a toxic human carcinogen. It’s also been linked to DNA damage and kidney problems. Potassium bromate is also found in crackers, flour, and other dry bread products, so you’ll need to read labels carefully to be sure to avoid it.

3. Propyl Paraben

Watch out ladies and gents! This endocrine-disrupting chemical has been linked to lower testosterone and reduced sperm count in men, and fertility problems in both men and women. Beyond that, it’s also been found to proliferate the life of breast cancer cells- yikes! You’ll find this additive in foods like tortillas, muffins, food dyes, and other food products.

4. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

This additive found in chips and preserved meats has been linked to cancer, fertility problems, and has negative effects on estrogen metabolism. Be sure to look out for the whole chemical name along with the abbreviation, BHA.

5. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Chemically related to BHA, BHT is used for different purposes. Found in everything from hummus to chewing gum, to cereals, crackers, cookies, sauces, and more, it’s a common food additive you’ll need to watch out for unless you’re looking to experience tumor development, thyroid changes and neurological changes, all of which BHT has been directly linked to.

6. Propyl gallate

Propyl gallate is used as a preservative in products that contain edible fats such as sausage, lard, and other meats that contain a fatty taste and texture. It’s been known to cause brain tumors, along with abnormal estrogen activity, fertility impairment, and other endocrine-related health problems.

7. Theobromine

Chocolate lovers know this name all too well – it’s a natural alkaloid found in chocolate is also advised to be avoided according to the EWG. Similar to the stimulation caffeine can cause, it’s a controversial additive used in processed foods like cereal, breads, and sports drinks in chemical form and in higher amounts than what naturally occurs in chocolate. While a piece of dark chocolate is not a concern, the chemically added version of theobromine is still on the list of additives to watch out for. Though it hasn’t been linked to any direct health effects, it has been thought to cause reproductive and development problems in animals it was tested on.

8. Secret Ingredient Flavors

These are found in everything from candy to cereal, to even natural sauces and other condiments. Who knows what natural flavors really mean? Natural and artificial flavors are found in over 80,000 foods on the EWG’s list of foods in their new Food Scores program. These flavors can account for more than just your typical vanilla and chocolate flavors, mind you- natural flavors actually contain synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol and BHA most of the time they’re used. Natural and artificial flavored not found in organic foods, but are usually extracted from genetically modified crops like corn and soy for non-organic food production. These additives have been linked to food allergies or intolerances, along with overeating since many are MSG derivatives.

9. Artificial Colors

Jelly beans and other colorful candies may look pretty, but they’re a source of one of the most commonly known unhealthy food additives you can consume: artificial colors. Linked to ADD and hyperactivity in adults and children, artificial colors are found in most colored foods that aren’t made from real, whole foods. Listed as FD&C Yellow 5, Red 40, etc., you can easily spot these on most labels.

10. Diacetyl

A common chemical in microwave popcorn, this additive has been known cause workplace diseases, respiratory problems such as lung and breathing problems, and cardiovascular system damage. Diacetyl is used as a butter flavoring, in flavored dairy products like yogurt and cheese, and is the source of “brown flavoring” in butterscotch, maple, and fruit-flavored food products.

11. Phosphates

Phosphates are found in 20,000 known food products (with likely more), fast food, and most processed food items that include a form of meat or bread. It’s used to leaven bread, improve moisture, and improve the texture of both meat and bread. Phosphates have been linked to kidney, heart disease, and even death. Just another reason to keep those corndogs and hotdogs off the menu!

12. Aluminum

Want heavy metals in your food? Didn’t think so! Aluminum is used in many commercial baking soda products (except for aluminum-free products obviously). You won’t see it listed on a food label most likely, however it’s found in food additives such as sodium aluminum phosphate and sodium aluminum sulfate, which are used as stabilizers in many processed foods. Aluminum been linked to neurological damage including cognitive problems, Alzheimer’s disease, and neurological toxicity.

What You Can Do

To avoid these products, know what is in your food. Read labels, and use the Food Scores tool by the EWG while you’re at the store, which will tell you exactly what’s in your food. Better yet, just buy real foods to make things really easy!

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