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5 food additives to avoid

How to read labels with your family's health in mind

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Originally published on TodaysParent.com September 27, 2011

With the mélange of inedible-sounding ingredients in our children’s foods, parents might feel like they need a chemistry doctorate just to figure out what additives are safe and which ones aren’t. Fortunately, our experts have already done the legwork. Here’s the Coles Notes version of the five food additives you should avoid, for you and your children.


1. Artificial colours

Look on the label for: In Canada, artificial colours are denoted with names like “Red 40” and “Yellow 5,” so they’re easy to spot.

Found in: Unnaturally bright foods like soft drinks, candies and ice cream tend to be coloured artificially.

Possible harmful effects: A 2007 study published in the well-reputed medical journal The Lancet found a relationship between artificial colours, as well as the preservative sodium benzoate, and increased hyperactivity in children. Other, smaller studies have also concluded a link exists between
hyperactivity and artificial food colouring.

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2. Sodium benzoate

Look on the label for: This chemical will be listed as sodium benzoate.

Found in: The preservative is most often used in soft drinks as well as acidic foods like salad dressings and pickles.

Possible harmful effects: Sodium benzoate is a naturally occurring chemical that, in addition to raising hyperactivity concerns (see the Lancet study cited above), can form a carcinogen known as benzene when it mixes with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Given that children are often consuming vitamin-C containing foods, it’s best to avoid sodium benzoate altogether.

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