Risks of Food Additives

Risks of Food Additives
Despite the benefits attributed to food additives for several years there have also been a number of concerns regarding the potential short and long term risks of consuming food additives. Critics of additives are concerned with both indirect and direct impacts of using additives. As for many of the benefits mentioned, there is not always adequate scientific proof of whether or not a particular additive is safe. Little or no data are available concerning the health risks or joints effects of an additive cocktail of us consumes daily.

The indirect risks that have been described for additives are the c0nverse of some of benefits attributed to their use. While it is accepted that though additives a greater choice and variety of foods have been made available, there is no question that additives have also resulted in the increased availability of food products with a low density of nutrients. These so called junk foods, which include many snack items, can in fact be used as substitutes in the diet for more nutritious foods.

Of greater concern than the indirect risks are the potential direct toxicological effects of additives. Short terms acute effects from additives are unlikely. Few additives are used at levels that will cause a direct toxicological impact, although there have been incidents where this has happened. Of particular concern are the hypersensitivity reactions to some additives that can have a direct and severe impact on sensitive individual even when the chemical are used at legally acceptable levels. The reactions to sulfites and other additives are examples of such a problem. With proper labeling, however, sensitive individuals should be able to avoid potential problem.

Toxicological problems resulting from the long term consumption of additive are not well documented. Cancer and reproductive problems are of primary concern, although there is no direct evidence linking additive consumption with their occurrence in humans. There are however, animal studies that have indicated potential problems with some additives, although most of these additives have been banned, some continues to be used, the most notable being saccharin.
Risks of Food Additives