Most folks – when thinking about food safety - don’t think about harmful food preservatives, but rather check out expiration dates, see if the dents on cans are on the seams, or maybe wonder if someone left the meat or chicken out of the fridge too long. Considering that I’m usually behind the times when it comes to learning things, I have nonetheless finally begun to understand reading food labels. Do you? It’s like learning a whole new language! Some of those big words have been made little (MSG, HFCS) but that doesn’t mean they’re any less harmful. These are chemical preservatives that have way more than 15 letters and more than half I can’t even pronounce. 

I’ve discovered – after doing a bit of research – I don’t want those things in my food anyway. It’s a pretty safe bet these days, if you can’t say it, don’t buy it. Many of those things are chemical preservatives that actually do damage: 

• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): some people may have short-term reactions to MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — may include: Headache, sometimes called MSG headache, Flushing, Sweating, Sense of facial pressure or tightness, Numbness, tingling or burning in or around the mouth, Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations), Chest pain, Shortness of breath, Nausea, Weakness. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG. 
• Sodium Benzoate and Ascorbic Acid in the same thing: you may want to consider that the combination creates a chemical known as benzene which can affect the DNA. Read more at Wikipedia. 

Finding replacement foods that don’t contain the two following ingredients has been an incredibly time consuming process, but one I’m definitely glad I did: 

• Sodium Nitrite (I always want to say nitrate): You’ll find this in most processed foods such as bologna and hotdogs (the things kids seems to love). DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Classified Reproductive system/toxin/female, Reproductive system/toxin/male [POSSIBLE]. Info came from Science Lab.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): Unlike white sugar, HFCS is digested differently when we consume it. High-fructose corn syrup is an additive that was put into use in the 1970s. It has now been discovered to go straight to your liver where it releases (get this!) an enzyme that instructs your body to store fat! The authorities on this research are now claiming it has aided the rise in obesity and disease such as type 2 diabetes. Bottom line, HFCS is an artificial additive that our bodies cannot properly break down and digest. Not only is this in most drinks and food on your local grocery store shelves but you’ll find it used in fast food places as well.

I’ve touched on just a couple of additives here. To learn more, you may want to go and bookmark Food Safety.