4 Food Additives to Avoid

Feb. 25, 2014— -- intro: Big Food is ditching risky ingredients: Kraft removed Yellow Nos. 5 and 6 from some of its mac and cheeses, and Gatorade got rid of brominated vegetable oil.

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But there's still a ways to go. We'd love to see more food folks quit the following chemicals.

quicklist: 1category: Food Additives To Avoidtitle: Artificial food dyesurl:text: Petroleum-based dyes such as Blue No. 2 and Yellow No. 5 are banned elsewhere for their potential roles in hyperactivity and cancer. Pick foods naturally colored by beets and turmeric; organics are a safe bet.

quicklist: 2category: Food Additives To Avoidtitle: Brominated vegetable oilurl:text: BVO contains bromine—a compound found in flame retardants—and is linked to memory problems. It's used as an emulsifier in some sodas, sports drinks, and juices, so check ingredient lists.

quicklist: 3category: Food Additives To Avoidtitle: Caramel coloringurl:text: It's made by heating sugars, often with ammonia, and the state of California has labeled one of its compounds a carcinogen. Opt for natural brown dyes like annatto extract.

quicklist: 4category: Food Additives To Avoidtitle: Butylated hydroxyanisoleurl:text: This petroleum-derived packaged-food preservative is a probable carcinogen. But some spices adequately replace BHA, so there may be hope for a preservative-free future.

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