Common Food Chemicals

By Lynn, webmaster of A Natural Food Diet | Natural Food Articles

Even real foods are made up of chemicals, but processed and fake foods make use of chemical substances in ways nature never intended. Here's a list of some common food additives and chemicals used in the production of food products.

Common food chemicals in processed and fake food products

It's amazing what they're putting in food these days, although technically speaking, many of these additives have been around for years. Some are all natural, many are synthetic. For more information, see the reference materials below the list.

Acesulfame-K
Avoid
Artificial sweetener: Baked goods, chewing gum, gelatin desserts, diet soda, Sunette. [1]
Alginate, Propylene Glycol Alginate
Thickening agents, foam stabilizer: Ice cream, cheese, candy, yogurt, beer. [1]
Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Antioxidant, nutrient: Vegetable oils, breakfast cereals, beverages. [1]
Artificial Colorings
Most artificial colorings are synthetic chemicals and are often substitutes for natural (real) food ingredients. [1]
Artificial Colorings: FD&C Blue 1
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Beverages, candy, baked goods. [1]
Artificial Colorings: FD&C Blue 2
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Pet food, beverages, candy. [1]
Artificial Colorings: Citrus Red 2
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Skin of some Florida oranges only. [1]
Artificial Colorings: Green 3
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Candy, beverages. [1]
Artificial Colorings: FD&C Red 3
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Candy, baked goods. [1]
Possible health effects: DNA damage in gastrointestinal organs, thyroid tumors (shown in rats), neurochemical and behavioral effects (inhibits neurotransmitters such as dopamine [2]
Artificial Colorings: FD&C Red 40
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Soda pop, candy, gelatin desserts, pastries, pet food, sausage. [1]
Possible health effects: Hyperactivity in children, DNA damage in gastrointestinal organs [2]
Artificial Colorings: FD&C Yellow 5
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Gelatin dessert, candy, pet food, baked goods. [1]
Possible health effects: Hyperactivity in children, compulsive aggression/violent behavior, eczema, hives, asthma, irritability, sleep disturbances/insomnia, DNA damage in gastrointestinal organs, colon and urinary bladder (shown in mice), reduced serum and saliva zinc levels (increased suseptibility to infection and impaired cell-mediated immunity) [2]
Artificial Colorings: FD&C Yellow 6
Avoid
Artificial coloring: Beverages, sausage, baked goods, candy, gelatin. [1]
Possible health effects: Hyperactivity in children, eczema, hives, asthma [2]
Artificial and Natural Flavoring
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions and other problems for some people.
Flavoring: Soda pop, candy, breakfast cereals, gelatin desserts, and many other foods. Flavorings are often deeply held trade secrets. [1]
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant, nutrient, color stabilizer:Cereals, fruit drinks, cured meats. [1]
Aspartame
Avoid
Artificial sweetener: "Diet" foods, including soft drinks, drink mixes, gelatin desserts, low-calorie frozen desserts. Known as Equal and NutraSweet, Aspartame is a chemical combination of two amino acids and methanol. [1]
Benzoic Acid: See Sodium Benzoate.
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Beta-Carotene
Coloring; nutrient: Margarine, shortening, non-dairy whiteners, beverages, breakfast cereals, supplements. [1]
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Avoid
Emulsifier, clouding agent: Soft drinks. [1]
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Avoid
Antioxidant: Cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, vegetable oil. [1]
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Avoid
Antioxidant: Cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, oils, etc. Avoid [1]
Caffeine
Avoid
Stimulant: Naturally occurring in coffee, tea, cocoa, coffee-flavored yogurt and frozen desserts. Additive in soft drinks, energy drinks, gum, and waters. Caffeine is mildly addictive. [1]
Calcium (or Sodium) Propionate
Preservative: Bread, rolls, pies, cakes. [1]
Calcium (or Sodium) Stearoyl Lactylate, Calcium (or Sodium) Stearoyl Fumarate
Dough conditioner, whipping agent: Bread dough, cake fillings, artificial whipped cream, processed egg whites. [1]
Carmine; Cochineal Extract
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Artificial coloring: Obtained from the cochineal insect, which lives on cactus plants in Peru, the Canary Islands and elsewhere. [1]
Carrageenan
Thickening, gelling, and stabilizing agent: Ice cream, jelly, chocolate milk, infant formula, cottage cheese. [1]
Casein, Sodium Caseinate
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Thickening and whitening agent: Ice cream, ice milk, sherbet, coffee creamers. [1]
Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Acid, flavoring, chelating agent: Ice cream, sherbet, fruit drink, candy, carbonated beverages, instant potatoes.
Cochineal Extract: See Carmine.
Corn Syrup
Avoid
Sweetener, thickener: Candy, marshmallows, syrups, snack foods, imitation dairy foods. Corn syrup is made by treating cornstarch with acids or enzymes. [1]
Dextrose
Avoid
Sweetener: Bread, caramel, soda pop, cookies, many other foods. [1]
Diacetyl
Avoid
Butter flavoring. [1]
Diacylglycerol
Cooking oil. [1]
EDTA (Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid)
Chelating agent: Salad dressing, margarine, sandwich spreads, mayonnaise, processed fruits and vegetables, canned shellfish, soft drinks. [1]
Erythorbic Acid: See Ascorbic Acid.
Antioxidant, color stabilizer: Cured meats. [1]
Ferrous Gluconate
Coloring, nutrient: Black olives. In pills as a source of iron. [1]
Food-Starch, Modified: See Starch, Modified.
Fructose (also called levulose)
Avoid
Sweetener: "Health" drinks and other products. [1]
Fumaric Acid
Tartness agent: Powdered drinks, pudding, pie fillings, gelatin desserts. [1]
Gelatin
Thickening and gelling agent: Powdered dessert mixes, marshmallows, yogurt, ice cream, cheese spreads, beverages. Gelatin is a protein obtained from animal hides and bones. [1]
Glycerin (Glycerol)
Maintains water content: Candy, fudge, baked goods.
Gums (Arabic, Furcelleran, Ghatti, Guar, Karaya, Locust Bean, Tragacanth, Xanthan)
Caution - Tragacanth can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Thickening agents, stabilizers: Beverages, ice cream, frozen pudding, salad dressing, dough, cottage cheese, candy, drink mixes. Gums are derived from natural sources (bushes, trees, seaweed, bacteria) and are poorly tested, though probably safe. [1]
Heptyl Paraben (Heptyl Ester of Para-Hydroxybenzoic Acid)
Avoid
Preservative: Beer, non-carbonated soft drinks. [1]
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Avoid
Sweetener: Soft drinks, other processed foods. Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has soared since around 1980, mostly because it's cheaper than sugar. See also Maltodextrin and High Maltose Corn Syrup. [1]
High Maltose Corn Syrup
Improves shelf life, inhibits bacterial growth, fermentation, other purposes: Candy, baked goods, beer. See also Maltodextrin and High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate (HSH)
Avoid
Sweetener: Dietetic and reduced-calorie foods. Eating significant amounts of HSH may cause intestinal gas and diarrhea. [1]
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Flavor enhancer: Instant soups, frankfurters, sauce mixes, beef stew. HVP is used to bring out the natural flavor of food to possibly enable companies to use less real food. [1]
Inulin
Fat substitute: Margarine, baked goods, fillings, dairy foods, frozen desserts, salad dressing.
It's a naturally occuring soluble fiber. Inulin doesn't raise blood sugar levels, so it may help people with diabetes. It also stimulates the growth of friendly bacteria in the large intestine. [1]
Invert Sugar
Avoid
Sweetener: Candy, soft drinks, many other foods. A 50-50 mixture of dextrose and fructose [1]
Lactic Acid
Controls acidity: Spanish olives, cheese, frozen desserts, carbonated beverages. This acid occurs in almost all living organisms. [1]
Lactitol
Avoid
Sweetener: Candy, chocolates, baked goods, ice cream, and other sugar-free foods. It's a sugar alcohol. [1]
Lactose
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Sweetener: Whipped topping mix, breakfast pastry. [1]
Lecithin
Emulsifier, antioxidant: Baked goods, margarine, chocolate, ice cream. Major natural sources are egg yolk and soybeans. [1]
Maltitol
Avoid
Sweetener:Candy, chocolates, jams, and other sugar-free foods. Maltitol is a sugar alcohol, also called a polyol. [1]
Maltodextrin
Companies sometimes use "resistant maltodextrin" to simulate dietary fiber. See also High Fructose Corn Syrup and High Maltose Corn Syrup. [1]
Mannitol
Avoid
Sweetener, other uses: "Dust" on chewing gum, low-calorie foods. Mannitol is a sugar alcohol, also called a polyol. [1]
Mono- and Diglycerides
Emulsifier: Baked goods, margarine, candy, peanut butter. [1]
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Flavor enhancer: Soup, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, restaurant foods. Using MSG enables companies to reduce the amount of real food ingredients in their food products. [1]
Mycoprotein
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Meat substitute: Quorn brand foods. It's made from processed mold (Fusarium venenatum). [1]
Neotame
Artificial sweetener: Diet soft drinks and other diet foods. [1]
Oat Fiber, Wheat Fiber
Isolated fiber: Cereal, crackers, bread, muffins. [1]
Olestra (Olean)
Avoid
Fat substitute: Lay's Light Chips, Pringles Light chips. Olestra can cause diarrhea and loose stools, abdominal cramps, flatulence, and other adverse effects. Olestra products contain substantial amounts of indigestible fat. [1]
Oligofructose
Bulking agent, emulsifier, sweetener prebiotic: Frozen desserts, cookies, energy and granola bars. [1]
Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Trans fat)
Avoid
Fat, oil, shortening: Stick margarine, crackers, fried restaurant foods, baked goods, icing, microwave popcorn. Foods labeled "0g trans fat" are permitted to contain 0.5g per serving, while "no trans fat" means none at all. [1]
Phosphoric Acid; Phosphates
Acidulant, chelating agent, buffer, emulsifier, nutrient, discoloration inhibitor: Baked goods, cheese, powdered foods, cured meat, soda pop, breakfast cereals, dehydrated potatoes. [1]
Phytosterols and Phytostanols (Plant Sterols or Stanols)
Cholesterol-lowering additive: Margarine, fruit juice, bread, dietary supplements. [1]
Polydextrose
Avoid
Bulking agent: Reduced-calorie salad dressings, baked goods, candies, puddings, frozen desserts. Polydextrose is made by combining dextrose (corn sugar) with sorbitol. [1]
Polysorbate 60 (Polyoxyethylene-(20)-Sorbitan Monostearate)
Emulsifier:Baked goods, frozen desserts, imitation cream. [1]
Potassium Bromate
Avoid
Flour improver: White flour, bread and rolls. Bromate has been banned virtually worldwide except in Japan and the United States. [1]
Propyl Gallate
Avoid
Antioxidant preservative: Vegetable oil, meat products, potato sticks, chicken soup base, chewing gum.
Quinine
Avoid
Flavoring: Tonic water, quinine water, bitter lemon. [1]
Quorn: See Mycoprotein.
Avoid
Rebiana
Natural, high-potency sweetener: used in diet beverages. Also called rebaudioside A; sold under brand names Truvia and PureVia. Purified from crude extracts of stevia, which itself is sold as a table-top sweetener at some "health food" stores. [1]
rbGH (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone)
A genetically engineered growth hormone injected into dairy cows to increase milk production. Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and all 25 nations of the European Union have refused to approve its use. [3]
Saccharin
Avoid
Artificial sweetener: Diet, no-sugar-added products, soft drinks, known as Sweet 'N Low. [1]
Salatrim
Avoid
Modified fat: Baked goods, candy. [1]
Salt (Sodium Chloride)
Avoid
Flavoring, preservative: Most processed foods, cured meats, soup, snack chips, crackers, and others. [1]
Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Preservative: Fruit juice, carbonated drinks, pickles. In an acidic solution, sodium benzoate can react with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to form small amounts of benzene, a chemical that causes leukemia and other cancers. [1]
Sodium Carboxymethyl-Cellulose (CMC)
Thickening and stabilizing agent, prevents sugar from crystallizing: Ice cream, beer, pie fillings, icings, diet foods, candy. [1]
Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Nitrate
Avoid
Preservative, coloring, flavoring: Bacon, ham, frankfurters, luncheon meats, smoked fish, corned beef. Adding nitrite to food can lead to the formation of small amounts of potent cancer-causing chemicals (nitrosamines), particularly in fried bacon. [1]
Sodium Stearoyl Fumarate: See Calcium (or Sodium) Stearoyl Lactylate
Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Prevents growth of mold: Cheese, syrup, jelly, cake, wine, dry fruits. Sorbic acid occurs naturally in many plants. [1]
Sorbitan Monostearate
Emulsifier: Cakes, candy, frozen pudding, icing. [1]
Sorbitol
Avoid
Sweetener, thickening agent, maintains moisture: Dietetic drinks and foods, candy, shredded coconut, chewing gum. Sorbitol occurs naturally in fruits and berries. [1]
Starch
Thickening agent: Soup, gravy, frozen foods. [1]
Starch, Modified
Thickening agent: Soup, gravy, frozen foods. [1]
Stevia: See Rebiana
Avoid
Sucralose
Avoid
Artificial sweetener: No-sugar-added baked goods, frozen desserts, ice cream, soft drinks, tabletop sweetener (Splenda). [1]
I had my own adverse reaction to this artificial sweetener several years ago.
Sugar (Sucrose)
Avoid
Sweetener: Table sugar, sweetened foods. [1]
Sulfites (Sulfur Dioxide, Sodium Bisulfite)
Caution - Can cause allergic reactions or other problems for some people.
Preservative, bleach: Dried fruit, wine, processed potatoes. [1]
Tagatose
Avoid
Sugar substitute. [1]
Thiamin Mononitrate
Vitamin B-1. [1]
Triacetin (Glycerol Triacetate)
Wetting agent: Beverages. [1]
Trans Fat: See Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil.
Vanillin, Ethyl Vanillin
Substitute for vanilla: Ice cream, baked goods, beverages, chocolate, candy, gelatin desserts. [1]
Vegetable Oil Sterols: See Phytosterols or Phytostanols.
Xylitol
Avoid
Sweetener: Sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie foods. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol.

Referenced: [1] Center for Science in the Public Interest Food Additives Report (if you're looking for even more details about food additives, the CSPI report is the best place to look) and Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's [2] Smart Guide to Food Dyes Fact Sheet and [3] Smart Guide: Hormones in the Food System.

Chemicals in food from packaging and containers

Not only can chemicals be put into food directly, chemicals can leech into food from packaging and storage containers. For example:

"There may be a potentially dangerous chemical leaching into our food from the containers that we use every day. THE JOURNAL and EXPOSÉ examine why, even though studies show that the chemical Bisphenol A can cause cancer and other health problems in lab animals, the manufacturers, their lobbyists, and U.S. regulators say it's safe."

- Exposé on The Journal: Chemicals in Food

Section : Natural Food Articles