Sneaky Food Additives
According to the Food And Drug Administration, a food additive is any substance added to foods that indirectly or directly becomes, or is reasonably expected to become, part of the food. Substances used to preserve, produce, store, treat, transport, enhance, or package food are classified as additives. Such practices aren’t a novel concept. Salt, for example, has been used to cure meats for centuries. Unlike those straightforward practices, however, many additives are very sneaky today. They show up in so many products that it’s very easy for consumers to get too much from too many sources. While the FDA maintains a list of over three thousand ingredients and provides regulations for additives in the United States' food supply, many food additives are riddled in controversy over the potential harm and health concerns they’re causing consumers. Let’s explore some common food additives and see where the problems may exist.