Big Food is ditching risky ingredients: Kraf removed Yellow Nos. 5 and
6 from some of its mac and cheeses, and Gatorade got rid of brominated
vegetable oil. We’d love to see more food folks quit these chemicals:
1. Artificial Food Dyes
Petroleum-based dyes such
as blue No. 2 and yellow No. 5
are banned elsewhere for their
potential roles in hyperactivity
and cancer. Pick foods naturally
colored by beets and turmeric;
organics are a safe bet.
2. Brominated Vegetable
Oil BVO contains bromine—a
compound found in flame
retardants—and is linked to
memory problems. It’s used
as an emulsifier in some sodas,
sports drinks, and juices,
so check ingredient lists.
3. Caramel Coloring
It’s made by heating sugars,
ofen with ammonia, and the
state of California has labeled
one of its compounds a carcinogen.
Opt for natural brown
dyes like annato extract.
4. Butylated Hydroxyanisole
This petroleum-derived
packaged-food preservative
is a probable carcinogen.
but some spices adequately
replace bha, so there may
be hope for a preservativefree
future.
