Your friendly neighborhood Food Additives

Let’s take a deeper have dive into some common food additives and what they do to your body. Now keep this in mind as we are going through this list, the US allows more chemicals in our food than any other developed country in the world. The EU, Canada, and Japan banned many of these or are required to have a warning label if any of these are put in their food including health implications. The US does nothing and the food companies are still selling them to you and your kids. Let’s take a look at who influences the FDA. A 2025 report highlighted that major food companies like Coca Cola, General Mills, Nestle, Pepsico, Unilever, Kraft Heinz, Kellanova (Kellogg), and Conagra brands. They influence the FDA through lobbying and industry groups in Washington. I have a question regarding this….why is the FDA influenced by the food companies they supposedly regulate?

Here’s a list of some of the more common perpetrators found in the foods you eat daily.

TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) – a synthetic antioxidant and preservative derived from petroleum used in many foods such as soft drinks, cereals, processed foods, dairy products. It can also be found in many skin care products and pharmaceuticals. TBHQ has been linked to tumors, DNA damage, vision problems, and promotes food allergies.

Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1 – these wonderful food colorings are derived from petroleum and found in almost every processed food that is especially marketed for kids. They are linked to hyperactivity, behavioral issues and allergic reactions. Red 40 is also a known carcinogen as well as Blue 1 which is linked to cancer and chromosomal damage.

BHA/BHT (butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene) – these are preservatives derived from petroleum that prevent fats from going rancid. These lovely additives are linked to liver and thyroid cancer and are hormone disruptors. These are also found in cereals, chips, gum, frozen foods and some “butters”.

High Fructose Corn Syrup – this is made from corn starch and contains both glucose and fructose. Why is this so widely used? It’s cheaper than sugar and is addictive. It is linked to obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver. It is found in almost every processed food imaginable.

BVO (brominated vegetable oil) – thank goodness this one was banned by the FDA in 2024. Why did they ever allow it? BVO is a boy or corn-based chemical used in most flame retardants. It is linked to memory loss, skin lesions, thyroid disorders and nerve disorders. It was used in citrus beverages to prevent separation. Think of Mountain Dew, Gatorade and Powerade.

Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate - this is a chemical salt preservative used in processed meats to maintain shelf life. This additive is linked to higher risk of prostate, breast and other cancers. The WHO has declared processed meat a Group 1 carcinogen with a direct link to colon cancer.

Potassium Sorbate – this chemical is widely used that prevents mold, yeast and fungi growth in foods. You can find this additive in wine, baked goods, cheeses and some sauces. It can also be found in personal care products. It is linked to an increased risk of cancer, allergies and skin irritation.

Natural and Artificial Flavors – Guys, these are all made in a lab, and there is nothing “natural” about natural flavors except they are derived from plant or animal materials but can contain up to 90% of artificial additives like emulsifiers and solvents. Artificial flavors are often made petroleum or wood. There is little to no nutritional value to these substances and they are added to foods to make them addictive.

I’m just going to list another 12 “ingredients” because these all are linked to gut inflammation including bloating, acid reflux, nausea, leaky gut as well as a host of other GI problems. This list includes, cellulose, maltodextrin, “gums”, carrageenan, sorbitol, maltitol, sucralose, erythritol, mono and diglycerides, polysorbate 80, and aspartame.

Like I said, this is just a small list of the many chemicals and additives added to our foods. The key takeaway here is to consume REAL food. For more information and for an even deeper dive into our food system and the harm they are causing to our health please follow on Instagram:

@foodbabe

@markhyman

@realfoodguy

@realfoodology