Examples: Well — in case you didn’t already know (spoiler alert!) — Skittles aren’t multicolored because they fell out of rainbows. Believe it or not, food dye is behind that one. But what many don’t realize is that food coloring is frequently used in seemingly “natural” foods, such as oranges and salmon.

Safety: 
Last year, the FDA looked into research suggesting a link between synthetic food dyes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So far, there have been no changes to the regulation and packaging of food and drink with artificial coloring, and the FDA claims they’re safe. The Center for Science in the Public Interest cautions against over-consumption of dyes Blue 1 (due to an unpublished animal test suggesting a small cancer risk) and Red 40, which can cause allergy-like reactions in some. Exercise Caution.

ASCORBIC ACID
What is it? Ascorbic acid is a form of vitamin C. It’s used as a food additive in order to maintain the red color of cured meat, to prevent browning in fruit products and to prevent the formation of nitrosamines, which promote cancer. It’s also added to a lot of food and drink so manufacturers can tout “with vitamin C!” on their products’ packaging.

Examples: Cured meats, fruit juices, soft drinks, bread dough
Safety:  It’s vitamin C, so it’s better than safe; it’s an essential nutrient.

ASPARTAME
What is it? Aspartame is a very sweet, artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some low-calorie foods and beverages. You know those little Equal sugar packets you can add to your coffee? That’s aspartame.

Examples: Carbonated soft drinks, cereals, chewing gum, juice drinks, breath mints, ready-to-drink iced tea, instant cocoa mix, fat-free/sugar-free yogurt

Safety:  It’s probably a good idea to limit your consumption of aspartame. Various studies have pointed to an association between aspartame and cancer. CSPI recommends avoiding artificially sweetened foods and switching to products sweetened with sucralose, or Splenda.

BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA) & BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT)
What are they? BHA and BHT are added to foods to preserve fats and oils.

Examples: Chewing gum, snack foods, butter, baked goods, cereals, meats, dehydrated potatoes, beer

Safety: Many studies insist BHA and BHT are safe, but some controversial studies have linked it to cancer in rodents. According to CSPI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers BHA to be “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” but the FDA still allows its use in foods. BHT has also been linked to cancer in some animal studies. Though it’s difficult to avoid BHA, try to avoid both as much as possible.

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
What is it? Calcium chloride is often added to food as a preservative, as well as a dough-strengthening and –raising agent. Manufacturers sometimes use it instead of sodium chloride (salt) since it has the added benefit of calcium, an essential mineral.

Examples: Canned tomatoes, some sports drinks (e.g., Dasani water and Glaceau Smart Water), tofu, soybean curd, cheese, apple foods

Safety: It’s generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. There’s currently no evidence to suggest it’s dangerous to consume in the amounts found in food and drink products.

HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
What is it? High-fructose corn syrup — more easily referenced as HFCS — is a sweetener made from corn that is sweeter and cheaper than sucrose, which is made from sugar cane.

Examples: Non-diet soft drinks, cereals, candy and sweets, condiments, baked goods, salad dressings

Safety:  HFCS has gained a bad reputation in the past decade when experts noted that obesity skyrocketed at the same time HFCS consumption increased. The theory was that many people were metabolizing HFCS it differently than other forms of sugar and that it was raising the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. However, most experts now regard HFCS to be no different than other forms of sugar and blame the controversy on the fact that too much sugar in general had started being added to too many foods at the same time HFCS was introduced.

ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID (EDTA)
What is it? EDTA is a synthetic chemical used to “fortify” grain-based foods, such as breakfast cereals and cereal bars, in addition to its role as a preservative.

Examples: Mayonnaise; soft drinks; canned fish, crabmeat, shrimp and clams; canned white potatoes; canned mushrooms; potato salad; pickled cabbage or cucumbers; salad dressings and spreads; beans; alcoholic beverages

Safety:  EDTA is generally recognized as safe by the FDA, and there has been no research suggesting otherwise in the quantities found in food and drink.

GUAR GUM
What is it? Guar gum is an inexpensive natural thickening agent that comes from the seed of the guar plant. It’s also used in weight-loss products because of its high fiber content.

Examples: Salad dressings, sauces, baked goods (particularly gluten-free), milk shakes, cappuccino mixes, protein powders, meal supplement drinks, hot chocolate mixes, instant oatmeal cereals, soups

Safety: Guar gum in food and drink has not been associated with any negative effects. Many actually use it as a dietary supplement to lower cholesterol, lower blood-glucose levels, as a source of soluble fiber and to alleviate the pain of gastric ulcers.

MONOGLYCERIDES & DIGLYCERIDES
What is it? Monoglycerides and diglycerides are emulsifying agents that prevent oil and water in food products from separating. Basically, it’s so you don’t complain when your peanut butter is thick on the bottom and thin on the top.

Examples: Shortening, margarine, cacao products, baked goods, flour tortillas, peanut butter

Safety: There have been no scientific studies suggesting a negative health impact from monoglycerides and diglycerides.

NIACIN
What is it? You’re probably more familiar with this one’s other name: vitamin B3. It’s added as a dietary supplement to food.

Examples: Enriched flour, breakfast cereals, fortified foods, some pasta and noodles

Safety: Niacin is not only safe but also good for you. It can boost your HDL, or “good,” cholesterol, according to MayoClinic, and a deficiency in niacin can cause pellagra, which is characterized by mental disturbances and potentially death.

MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG)
What is it? MSG is a form of the naturally occurring chemical glutamate and is used in foods as a flavor enhancer.

Examples: Canned vegetables, canned tuna, dressings, some frozen foods, snack foods like potato chips, canned soups

Safety: If there’s a food additive with a worse reputation than HFCS, it’s MSG. Whether this reputation is warranted or not is debatable. One issue with MSG is that manufacturers sometimes add it for flavor so they can reduce the amount of real ingredients in their food. Another contribution to the controversy is that some rodent studies have claimed that MSG destroys nerve cells in the brain. Lastly, some people report experiencing negative side effects — such as headache, nausea, weakness, a burning sensation in the back of neck and forearms, and sometimes difficulty breathing — when exposed to large amounts of MSG, though most experts agree this is probably a rarity if it occurs at all. If you suspect you’re sensitive to it, avoid it, and avoid products that have “hydrolyzed soy protein” and “autolyzed yeast” on their ingredient lists since those may contain MSG.

OLESTRA
What is it? Procter & Gamble introduced olestra in 1996 as a substitute for fats in snacks since it contained no calories or fat.

Examples: Light potato chips, such as Lay’s Light and Pringles Light

Safety: Think of olestra as aspartame. Aspartame can add sweetness without the calories or sugar; olestra can add faux fat without calories or fat. But at what cost? According to CSPI, olestra reduces the body’s ability to absorb essential vitamins and nutrients and can cause diarrhea and loose stools, abdominal cramps, flatulence and other side effects. You’re probably better off eating baked potato chips.

SODIUM BENZOATE
What is it? Sodium benzoate is a preservative added to foods, drinks and condiments to prevent spoilage.

Examples: Fruit juice, carbonated drinks, pickles, fruit preserves and jellies, margarine, fast-food burgers, hot sauce

Safety: Sodium benzoate is generally regarded as safe — though some people do experience allergic reactions, such as hives and asthma. According to MayoClinic, it has also been implicated as a potential trigger for hyperactivity in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but more research is needed to establish a link if one exists.

SODIUM NITRITE/NITRATE
What are they: Sodium nitrate is a salt added to foods as a preservative and dye that breaks down into sodium nitrite.

Examples: Bacon, ham, frankfurters, deli meat, smoked fish, corned beef

Safety: According to CSPI and CNN, adding sodium nitrate to food can lead to the formation of small amounts of carcinogens called nitrosamines, particularly in fried           bacon. Most companies now use ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid to bacon instead. MayoClinic also claims it has been linked to atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries that could lead to heart disease, and diabetes. We think it’s a good idea to put this one on your “Don’t Eat” list.

SORBITOL
What is it? Sorbitol is a type of sugar used as a preservative, thickening agent and an artificial sweetener in foods labeled as sugar-free, light or diabetic.

 Examples: Fruits, such as apples, pears, prunes and peaches; fruit juice, such as apple, pear, prune and peach juice; baked goods; condiments; sweets; snack foods; gum

Safety:  Sorbitol occurs naturally in some fruits and is safe in moderate amounts. Large amounts, however, can lead to some gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating.

SULFITES (sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite)
What is it? Sulfites, such as sulfur dioxide and sodium bisulfite, are sulfur-based substances added to foods to prevent discoloration in fruit and to  prevent bacterial growth in wine.

Examples: Dried fruit, wine, processed potatoes, bottled lemon juice

Safety: For most people, sulfites are completely safe. For sensitive individuals (usually severe asthmatics), there has been a proven link between sulfites and asthmatic attacks, though this is a rare side effect. Some have reported a link between sulfites and other symptoms, such as hives, nausea and diarrhea, but these claims have not yet been substantiated. If you suspect you’re sensitive to sulfites, be sure to avoid them.