8 Most Common Food Additives To Avoid In Packaged Food

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

[{"selector":"#anim-1500673d-0674-41b2-aa80-45f94376c86e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7874c713-ab08-4014-b96a-5cac814e0560","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 181.06286%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash HFCS is a sweetener derived from corn that's used in many processed foods and beverages. It's linked to various health issues, including obesity and metabolic syndrome.

2. Artificial Colours

[{"selector":"#anim-b7a74ea2-a5db-4d04-a800-3a299aee7a49","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87632845-9a6b-4604-bf2e-167cab4c39ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Additives like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are used to enhance the appearance of food. They have been associated with hyperactivity in children and potential carcinogenic effects.

3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

[{"selector":"#anim-c7bdc4e7-4800-4a24-8405-b0d5bca1c0db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2523c2fa-f8c7-4812-8fd3-175c58cd9b28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash MSG is a flavour enhancer commonly found in processed foods. It can cause headaches, nausea, and other symptoms in sensitive individuals.

4. Partially Hydrogenated Oils

[{"selector":"#anim-5355426a-9a01-4a64-be36-e93597a4e071","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a012c8c-ee7f-4ca7-8ea0-456d269b4b74","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash These oils are a source of trans fats, which are linked to heart disease and other health issues.

5. Sodium Nitrate/Nitrite

[{"selector":"#anim-af43c1ec-1ed4-4bd8-b41e-e698bf022b5d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-42db80dc-f8dd-415c-b61c-bcc95eba9bb1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Used as preservatives and colour enhancers in cured meats, these additives can convert into potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines when heated.

6. Artificial Sweeteners

[{"selector":"#anim-aae1237f-5ef8-4a9e-b08f-662e9affe493","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49d252c5-e427-45ed-88a6-ce7573f51102","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin are artificial sweeteners used as sugar substitutes. While they can reduce calorie intake, they may be linked to health concerns.

7. Propyl Paraben

[{"selector":"#anim-f80fb474-7b81-442f-9b86-655dccdd7631","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e40496f2-7c1b-4702-9d21-d820aae9f8d3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Often used as a preservative in processed foods, propyl paraben can disrupt hormonal systems and has been associated with potential reproductive toxicity.

[{"selector":"#anim-9ea3685b-57e1-4f49-baa6-f80465ddd9a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0bc6b625-27ef-4643-b8f9-fd9392171715","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 366.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash When choosing packaged foods, look for products with minimal and natural ingredients to avoid these additives.