foodadditives
TRANSCRIPT
Food AdditivesScience Ace Secondary 1 2012 term 2.
Rio Tang (22) class 1i3
What are the most common type of food additives?
CaffeineCaffeine occurs naturally in some
beverages and is added to some soft drinks. It is not added to any food.
Caffeine, a drug, is a stimulant to the nervous system and is mildly
addictive.
CaramelCaramel, produced by cooking sugar,
is one of the most common additives. In one form, manufactured with ammonia as a chemical agent,
tests have shown caramel may cause health problems.
Lactic AcidLactic acid is used to boost or adjust acid in cheese and olives and to add
tartness to ice creams and beverages. Nonacidic lactates
prevent discoloration of fruits and vegetables. It is considered safe.
Monosodium glutamateMonosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer, may cause temporary
allergic discomfort to some adults and has been banned in baby food. It
should be avoided by pregnant women and those on a low sodium
diet.
EDTAEDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) is considered a safe additive
and is used to trap metal impurities that cause clouding in beverages; in
other foods, it is used to retard staling and discoloration.
NiacinNiacin, or vitamin B-3, is added to many processed foods, particularly cereals. It is safe, and is often cited
by food companies in nutritional claims.
Yellow Dye No.5
Yellow dye No. 5, widely used in processed foods, is known to cause allergic reactions in some people.
SugarSugar, from the standpoint of
consumption, tops the list of food additives by a wide margin. Some breakfast cereals, for example, get
nearly half their calories from added sugar and it is the main ingredient in
many soft drinks.
Sugar part 2Refined sugar, from which the
nutrients have been removed, makes up 10 to 20 percent of the American
diet. Sugar is linked to dental cavities. - Sulfites, often found as
sodium bisulfite, are commonly used to retain color and prevent bacterial
growth in foods and beverages. Some people are allergic to sulfiting
agents, and it is the only additive known to have caused deaths in
humans.
PolysorbatesPolysorbates are emulsifiers used to
preserve texture and freshness in such things as bread, rolls and doughnuts. They are generally
considered safe, but the FDA placed limits on the amount of
contamination with dioxane after this known carcinogen was found in
polysorbates.
SodiumSodium, listed on food labels as salt (sodium chloride) and other sodium
compounds, is widely used in processed and fast foods and is a
factor in high blood pressure.
Sodium NitrateSodium nitrite is used to treat
billions of pounds of meat annually to preserve color and prevent
spoilage and bacterial growth. Some research shows bacon containing
nitrites, if cooked at high temperatures, can produce cancer-
causing nitrosamines.
Why do foods include so many additives?
Convenience
Buying pre-made foods is far easier and less time-consuming
than making your own meals from scratch. Making your own whipped cream takes time, patience, skill, and knowledge, and the result of
the labor will spoil quickly.
EmulsifyingAdditives allow two substances
that are different in density, to stay in a mixed state, or in scientific
terms, emulsified. One example is whip cream, where polysorbate 60 is a common emulsifier to keep the oil and water in whip cream from
separating .
Taste and “mouthfeel”
Additives are normally added, to give a food item it’s taste. For example, sugar is added to give a food its sweetness. This is one of the benefits of additives, because without the additives, the food will taste bland. Additives are also added so as to enhance the wanted texture of a certain food. For example, if you want whipped cream to have a better “mouthfeel”, more Sodium caseinate is added to the food.
Should we be worried about the health risks of food preservatives?
YES
Although food preservatives have many benefits such as:• Preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi and
yeasts
• Maintaining quality of foods
• Maintaining palatability of foods after long periods of time
The dangers outnumber the benefits by more
than 3 times!Can trigger allergies such as skin rashes and asthma (e.g. Benzoates)
Destroys most of nutrients in foods. (e.g. Bromates)
Can give rise to nausea and diarrhea (e.g. Butylates)
Can have diuretic, stimulant properties, triggering occasional heart defects (e.g. caffeine)
Can cause toxic reactions + allergic response, affecting skin, gastrointestinal tract and heart. May cause tumors and bladder cancer. (e.g. saccharin)
Some suspected to cause certain birth defects (e.g. Red Dye 40)
Can cause genetic changes and cancer (e.g. di-glycerides)
Can cause vitamin B6 deficiencies (e.g. caramel)
Can cause high blood pressure, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack. (e.g. Sodium Chloride)
4th point
Find a common food.
Cake and brownies (mix)
Betty Crocker Super Moist
Meijer moist selectSugar, Enriched Bleached Flour (Bleached Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Shortening (Contains Soybean oil).
Meijer moist select
Betty Crocker super moist
Price $1.35 $1.90
Taste 3.8/5(average after
visiting serveral websites where
people vote)
4.9/5 (average after
visiting serveral websites where
people vote)
Nutritional value
Less additives Much more additives