The Problem With Fast Food Additives

Do you know the difference between processed foods and whole foods? Most people just pass it off with a casual, “Well, process foods are worse for me and my kids…” This is true, but also an understatement. How they are worse, and how many foods are worse is a more frightening subject. Basically, processed foods have chemicals put in them. All sorts of different chemicals are used for all kinds of reasons (preservatives, flavor enhancers, food coloring) and most are bad news. Manufacturers are more interested in making the food transportable and noticeable than making it healthy.

Fast foods are often the worst of the worst. Since fast foods have to be shipped and prepared very quickly, they tend to always be processed. Fast food companies usually have a tug-of-war with the FDA. A food additive will be approved, then retested for years before being pulled again, then replaced by another questionable additive that has been blocked for years. This give and take creates an environment of constant change in processed foods, and not always for the good.

Currently, major culprit-chemicals of fast food fouls abound. One of the most infamous is MSG. This flavor enhancer is used because it’s cheap, and is found in all kinds of fast food, where it causes headaches, nausea, breathing difficulties, and other problems in a select number of people. Sodium benzoate is another offender: a common preservative, it and food coloring additives like it have been linked to child hyperactivity development. Aspartame is only one of the sugar substitutes used in processed foods that has been found to increase susceptibility to cancers. Sodium nitrites, the colorings that keep meats looking healthy and clean (even when they sometimes aren’t) are also suspected of being carcinogenic, as are BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated hydrozyttoluene).

As parents, you should watch out especially for fruit juices marketed to kids. These juices are processed with additives, food colorings, synthetic sugars, and preservatives, making them multiple threats in one. If you are shopping at the grocery store, be careful of the easy fast food meals that are just heat and serve. These typically contain the most preservatives. Also keep an eye on the ingredients of packaged meats. These meats are injected with chemicals to fight off bacteria but can also develop carcinogenic qualities when introduced into the human body. Some meat is irradiated, may produce a number of dubious and as-yet-untested side effects.

When you can, just look for local produce. Since it comes from nearby farms, no preservatives are needed to keep it fresh. Since it has passed through fewer hands, it is much more likely to have fewer chemicals injected for the sake of appearance or taste. Plus, you’ll be supporting your local economy and small time, hard working farmers! For more information on additives used in fast food, visit: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm115333.htm. This website leads to a comprehensive list on the subject.