There are over 10,000 food additives that are currently allowed and being used in foods in the United States. Many of these linked to serious health issues and many are even banned or restricted in other countries. If you eat any processed foods, it’s important that you know about the safety of the chemicals and which ones you should avoid.
Unfortunately the food companies are never going to tell us about these harmful chemicals and our government and the FDA (whose regulations allow for these 10,000+ food additives) has also failed to provide us with the type of accurate information that we need to protect ourselves from harm.
Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has produced a list of the 12 “worst of the worst” food additives for you to avoid.
According to the most recent research by EWG, here are their “Dirty Dozen” worst food additives:
1. Nitrites and nitrates
2. Potassium bromate
3. Propyl paraben
4. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
5. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
6. Propyl gallate
7. Theobromine
8. Secret flavor ingredients
9. Artificial colors
10. Diacetyl
11. Phosphate-based food additives (Watch List)
12. Aluminum-based additives (Watch List)
For further information EWG has links to more information on these harmful food additives at their Dirty Dozen page.