Are There Hidden Ingredients In Food Labels?

The use of food labels is a common aspect that many have been accustomed to when buying something of the shelves. It is good to be informed of the ingredients that are used in the food that we would want to eat. Sometimes, these labels contain certain macro or micronutrients from some ingredients used which are not so familiar to us. Some people go by the principle of not eating the foods with ingredients that they cannot associate with, but it is still a good idea to do up a little research on the types of stuff they put in there.

The usual ‘forbidden’ ingredients that we have come across widely and kind of ‘brainwashed’ our mindset: high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, etc. There are also a number of ingredients that most people are not able to pronounce which are hidden in our foods including the healthy ones. These are some of the terms to look out for in your next grocery shopping:

Diacetyl

Studies found that this chemical has been linked to respiratory problems and creation of plaque in the brain that is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Seeing as how this ingredient produces a buttery flavor and scent, it is found most often in microwave popcorn, but also in candy, margarine and baked goods.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

This ingredient is used to prevent food from spoiling. In lab tests, consumption of BHA’s has been linked to causing cancer in rats and other laboratory animals. BHA is also considered to be a carcinogen.

Nitrities

If you’ve ever eaten a hot dog, lunch meat or processed meats of any kind, you’ve eaten nitrite. Nitrite is used to preserve meats and keep their color looking “fresh.” Nitrite consumption has been linked to increased colorectal/stomach/pancreatic cancer, COPD, mutations of DNA and greater risks of developing brain tumors.

Keep in mind that all the ingredients listed above and many more are classified under subjective arguments. Anything that is considered “good” or “bad” will always be backed by some sorts of science supported claims and related conditions. Just take a look at the example of the use of artificial sweeteners that has been used widely in the food industry for the past few years and the argumentative claims of the use of it.

Besides the ingredients, there are sometimes certain strange things lurking in your food that either enhances the appearance or produces the colour it projects. For example, cochineal insects are ground up by the thousands, which produces a red powder. This powder is then mixed with water to produce a red food coloring. This dye is used to color candies, juices, and most infamously, in a handful of Starbucks drinks. Tartrazine, also known as “Yellow #5,” is also used as a food dye, and is found in prescriptions and food. Yellow #5 comes from coal tar and is known to cause severe allergic reactions and side effects in some individuals, such as thyroid cancer, clinical depression, insomnia and aggravation of Carpal Tunnel.

In conclusion, there are many hidden ingredients in the everyday foods that we consume which are not exactly what we are expecting them to be. Many times, when we pick up a bag of so called “calorie-free” food, there will be this list of ‘alien’ ingredients that we do not readily recognise. Some people would pay the price for convenience to get something ‘healthy’ while others would retort to eating the real self-prepared fresh stuff than to stuff themselves with loads of artificial ingredients. It is difficult to always be on top on the game to scrutinize each ingredient’s origin before buying them. However, if you stick to foods that are closest to their true form, you could be more assured that there are no hidden surprises.

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Eat A More Healthier Way