Philosophy of Food Additive II

A large number of chemical additives are familiar, and there is a need for regulatory agencies to question their use from stand point of safety.

Obviously then, we should not fear the use of chemicals, but we do need to screen them for safety when their effects on human health are not known.

Some lessons have been learned along these lines. For example, indiscreet use of certain additives used for coloring candy and popcorn was reported to have caused diarrhea in children resulting in the removal of these dyes from the FDA approved list of additives.

There are a number if related ideas that must be remembered when dealing with food additives:
*All food are composed of chemical compound s, many of which can be extracted and added to other foods, in which case they are classified as additives.

*Any particular or chemical compound can be injuries to health when particularly high levels of that compound are added to foods.

*Any additives or chemical compound can be safe to use when particularly low levels of that compound are added to foods.

*It is necessary to evaluate each additive for its usefulness and toxicity in a sensible, scientific way, regardless of how safe its proponents say it is and how toxic its opponents say it is.
Philosophy of Food Additive II