Food Additives

 Artificial Colorings
Food manufacturing companies use many different additives to help preserve freshness, improve texture, add flavor and to protect foods from spoiling. Here are some of the more common food additives you're likely to find on the ingredients lists of the processed foods you buy.

The colors of food make them more (or less) attractive so manufacturers add colorings to many processed foods. Some food colorings come from natural plant extracts and dyes, but some are created artificially. Learn more about artificial colorings

Artificial Sweeteners
Non-nutritive sweeteners add flavor, but no calories to foods and beverages. That's because they're 100s of times sweeter than regular sugar or high fructose corn syrup so very little is used. Learn more about artificial sweeteners

BHA and BHT
Many of the processed foods you buy contain at least a small amount of fat. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) protect fats from going rancid so you'll find them in a variety of processed foods. Learn more about BHA and BHT..

Calcium Propionate
This preservative is used to protect bread and baked goods from mold and bacterial growth. It also occurs naturally in butter and some types of cheese. Learn more about calcium propionate.

Citric Acid
You'll usually find citric acid in foods that contain fruit or fruit flavorings because it adds a tangy sour flavor and is also used as a preservative. Citric acid occurs naturally in many foods, especially in citrus fruits. Learn more about citric acid

Monosodium Glutamate
The flavor of protein-rich foods is often enhanced with monosodium glutamate (MSG). You'll find MSG in on the ingredients list of many savory processed foods. Learn more about monosodium glutamate..

Nutritional Ingredients
These supplemental nutrients are added to improve the nutritional profile of the foods you eat every day. Eating foods with these additional ingredients will conveniently ensure you get enough calcium, fiber, and other nutrients. Learn more about nutritional ingredients.

Sodium Benzoate
This preservative is used in acidic foods such as fruit preserves and pies. Sodium benzoate prevents growth of bacteria, mold and yeast. Learn more about sodium benzoate.

Sulfites
Sulfites are added to foods to prevent bacterial growth in some foods, plus they also improve the quality of bread dough. You'll also find naturally occurring sulfites in beer, wine and fruit. Learn more about sulfites.

By Shereen Jegtvig