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Real Food Scanner : Ingredient List http://www.realfoodscanner.com/Home/Ingredients
acesulfame potassium
What is it? Artificial sweetener
Why is it bad? 200 times sweeter than sugar, and not able to be digested. Linked to tumors and high cholesterol.
ammonium chloride
What is it? Chemical used as additive in baking process
Why is it bad? Can aggravate certain food intolerances and cause nausea
annato
What is it? Natural coloring
Why is it bad? May cause hives and allergic reactions in some people.
artificial color
What is it? Colorants derived from coal tar
Why is it bad? Artificial colors may contain small amounts of lead and arsenic. FDA has warned that colorants may be linked to ADHD.
artificial flavor
What is it? Flavoring made from chemicals
Why is it bad? Synthetic flavors are not natural. They are potentially harmful to people with food sensitivities and allergies.
aspartame
What is it? Artificial sweetener
Why is it bad? Accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Multiple studies have linked to brain tumors.
autolyzed yeast
What is it? Used as food additive or flavoring
Why is it bad? Possible reactions are similar to MSG: headaches, dizziness, skin irritation, nausea, and allergic reactions.
azodicarbonamide
What is it? Chemical used as flour bleaching agent
Why is it bad? Used primarily in production of foam plastics. Banned in most European countries as possible cause of asthma
benzoyl peroxide
What is it? Chemical used as flour bleaching agent
Why is it bad? Mostly used to treat acne. When digested, can serve as skin irritant and exacerbate asthma
bleached flour
What is it? Bleached, instead of aged, flour to make white
Why is it bad? Bleaching uses peroxides that have been banned in Europe and can cause issues with asthma
bromated flour
What is it? Chemical used to strengthen flour
Why is it bad? Has been linked to cancer in multiple studies
brominated vegetable oil
What is it? Chemical used in sports drinks to protect flavor
Why is it bad? Accumulates in fatty tissue and can cause major health issues. Has been removed from Gatorade.
butter yellow
What is it? Artificial coloring
Why is it bad? Toxic and linked to liver cancer.
butylated hydroxyanisole
What is it? Chemical preservative
Why is it bad? Controversial. BHA contains some antioxidant advantages, but has also been linked to cancer in mice.
butylated hydroxytoluene
What is it? Chemical preservative
Why is it bad? Difficult to break down in liver, and linked to metabolism problems
calcium bromate
What is it? Chemical used to strengthen dough
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer, kidney failure, and skin eruptions
calcium disodium
What is it? Used to bind metals from food processing
Why is it bad? Linked to asthma, kidney damage, and skin irritation. Made from formaldehyde.
calcium peroxide
What is it? Used as bleaching agent for flour
Why is it bad? Banned in Europe and China
calcium propionate
What is it? Preservative and mold inhibitor
Why is it bad? Linked to irritability, restlessness, sleep issues, headache, and upset stomach in children
calcium saccharin
What is it? Artificial sweetener
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer and banned in Europe.
calcium sorbate
What is it? Chemical used as preservative
Why is it bad? May cause skin irritation
calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
What is it? Chemical used as dough conditioner
Why is it bad? Can be problematic for people who are lactose intolerant
caprocaprylobehenin
What is it? Low calorie fat substitute
Why is it bad? Considered unnecessary and potentially harmful to health
carmine
What is it? Used for food coloring
Why is it bad? Skin irritant, stomach irritant, and causes hyperactivity in children.
carrageenan
What is it? Used as thickener for processed foods
Why is it bad? Linked to stomach issues such as ulcers and inflammation.
corn syrup
What is it? Sweetener, thickener
Why is it bad? Contains no nutritional value and is usually contained in foods that have very little nutritional value.
cyclamate
What is it? Artificial sweetener
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer
cysteine
What is it? Used as dough conditioner
Why is it bad? Unclear what effects this may have on health.
dextrose
What is it? Sweetener
Why is it bad? Empty calories with no nutritional value. Contributes to tooth decay.
Diacetyl tartaric
What is it? Artificial flavor
Why is it bad? Linked to serious lung disease and respiratory illness
dimethylpolysiloxane
What is it? Used as anti-foaming agent
Why is it bad? This is what is used to make silly putty and cosmetics. In raw form, causes skin and eye irritation. Health effects in food are unclear
dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
What is it? Used as thickening agent
Why is it bad? Possible laxative effects
disodium calcium
What is it? Used to bind metals from food processing
Why is it bad? Linked to asthma, kidney damage, and skin irritation. Made from formaldehyde.
disodium dihydrogen
What is it? Artificial color
Why is it bad? High quantities can contribute to bone loss
disodium guanylate
What is it? Used as flavor enhancer
Why is it bad? Unsafe for people prone to gout and kidney stones. May cause allergic reaction in certain cases.
disodium inosinate
What is it? Used as flavor enhancer
Why is it bad? Unsafe for people prone to gout and kidney stones
ethoxyquin
What is it? Chemical used to retain color
Why is it bad? Mostly used in animal feed. Safety for humans is unclear.
ethyl vanillin
What is it? Synthetic vanilla for flavoring
Why is it bad? Possible skin allergen
ethylene oxide
What is it? Used to sterilize
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer
glutamic acid
What is it? Salt of an amino acid used to enhance flavor
Why is it bad? May cause headaches, tingling, dizziness, drowsiness, chest pains, palpitations, nausea, and muscle tightness. May cause severe allergic reaction.
high fructose corn syrup
What is it? Chemical used as sugar substitute
Why is it bad? Linked to obesity, increased body fat, heart disease, and tooth decay
hydrogenated
What is it? Metal-injected oil
Why is it bad? Oils that have undergone this process results in a gummy substance that is hard to move through the bloodstream. Risks involved are high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
hydrolyzed soy protein
What is it? Flavor enhancer
Why is it bad? Contains MSG. May cause headaches, tingling, dizziness, drowsiness, chest pains, palpitations, nausea, and muscle tightness. May cause severe allergic reaction.
isomalt
What is it? Sweetener made from sugar
Why is it bad? Poorly absorbed by the body
lactitol
What is it? Sweetener made from lactose
Why is it bad? Poorly absorbed by the body. Large amounts may lead to diarrhea.
maltitol
What is it? Sweetener made from maltose
Why is it bad? Poorly absorbed by the body. Large amounts may have a laxative effect.
mannitol
What is it? Sweetener made from sugar
Why is it bad? Poorly absorbed by the body. Large amounts may cause diarrhea and have a laxative effect.
methyl silicon
What is it? Used as anti-foaming agent
Why is it bad? In raw form, causes skin and eye irritation. Health effects in food are unclear
methylparaben
What is it? Preservative
Why is it bad? Linked to allergic reactions
monosodium glutamate
What is it? Salt of an amino acid used to enhance flavor
Why is it bad? May cause headaches, tingling, dizziness, drowsiness, chest pains, palpitations, nausea, and muscle tightness. May cause severe allergic reaction.
natamycin
What is it? Chemical used to fight fungal and mold growth
Why is it bad? Moderately toxic. May cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
nitrates
What is it? Chemical used to correct color
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer and lung disease.
nitrites
What is it? Chemical used to correct color
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer and lung disease.
olestra
What is it? fat substitute
Why is it bad? Linked to abdominal cramps and irritable bowel syndrome. Adds no fat or calories to food.
partially hydrogenated
What is it? Metal-injected oil
Why is it bad? Oils that have undergone this process results in a gummy substance that is hard to move through the bloodstream. Risks involved are high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
polydextrose
What is it? Chemical used as additive and sugar replacement
Why is it bad? May have laxative effect.
potassium benzoate
What is it? Acid used as food preservative
Why is it bad? Linked to cell damage, obesity, hyperactivity, liver and kidney issues. May exacerbate asthma.
potassium bisulfite
What is it? Sulfur used to preserve and color
Why is it bad? May be seriously threatening to sulfite-sensitive people and people with asthma. Also linked to nausea, headaches, and hives.
potassium bromate
What is it? Chemical used to strengthen dough
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer and kidney failure.
potassium metabisulfite
What is it? Sulfur used to preserve and color
Why is it bad? May be seriously threatening to sulfite-sensitive people and people with asthma. Also linked to nausea, headaches, and hives.
potassium sorbate
What is it? Chemical used as preservative
Why is it bad? May cause skin irritation.
propionates
What is it? Used as preservative in bread
Why is it bad? May cause headaches.
propyl gallate
What is it? Chemical used as preservative
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer.
propylparaben
What is it? Used as preservative in food
Why is it bad? Paraben has been found in breast tissue, and is a concern regarding cancer. Is also an allergy concern.
saccharin
What is it? Artificial sweetener
Why is it bad? Linked to tumor creation and was proposed as banned chemical by FDA in 1977.
salatrim
What is it? Modified fat made by Nabisco
Why is it bad? Not proven to be low calorie. Side effects may include stomach cramps and nausea.
sodium aluminum sulfate
What is it? Chemical used to aid baking powder
Why is it bad? Contains aluminum, which damages tissues in body, and is toxic over time. Dangerous to pregnant women and people with heart conditions.
sodium benzoate
What is it? Acid used as food preservative
Why is it bad? Linked to cell damage, obesity, hyperactivity, liver and kidney issues. May exacerbate asthma.
sodium bisulfite
What is it? Sulfur used to preserve and color
Why is it bad? May be seriously threatening to sulfite-sensitive people and people with asthma. Also linked to nausea, headaches, and hives.
sodium diacetate
What is it? Vinegar substitute
Why is it bad? Dangerous in high levels to pregnant women and people suffering from heart conditions. Is an eye irritant.
sodium glutamate
What is it? Salt of an amino acid used to enhance flavor
Why is it bad? May cause headaches, tingling, dizziness, drowsiness, chest pains, palpitations, nausea, and muscle tightness. May cause severe allergic reaction.
sodium nitrate
What is it? Chemical used to correct color
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer and lung disease.
sodium nitrite
What is it? Chemical used to correct color
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer and lung disease.
sodium propionate
What is it? Used as preservative in bread
Why is it bad? May cause headaches.
sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
What is it? Used as dough conditioner
Why is it bad? Unclear what effects this may have on health.
sodium sulfite
What is it? Sulfur used to preserve and color
Why is it bad? May be seriously threatening to sulfite-sensitive people and people with asthma. Also linked to nausea, headaches, and hives.
sorbic acid
What is it? Used as preservative
Why is it bad? May cause skin irritation.
sorbitol
What is it? Sugar-free sweetener
Why is it bad? Large amounts can lead to diarrhea and have a laxative effect.
sucralose
What is it? Artificial sweetener
Why is it bad? Linked to multiple adverse stomach effects, including reduction of beneficial bacteria and the potential rejection of prescription drugs.
sucroglycerides
What is it? Food additive
Why is it bad? Health effects are unclear.
sucrose polyester
What is it? Fat substitute
Why is it bad? The body is unable to digest or absorb this chemical compound.
sulfur dioxide
What is it? Sulfur used to preserve and color
Why is it bad? May be seriously threatening to sulfite-sensitive people and people with asthma. Also linked to nausea, headaches, and hives.
Tagatose
What is it? Chemical sugar substitute
Why is it bad? Poorly absorbed by the body. Can cause diarrhea and nausea.
tertiary butylhydroquinone
What is it? Food additive
Why is it bad? Linked to cancer.
tetrasodium
What is it? Used to bind metals from food processing
Why is it bad? Linked to asthma, kidney damage, and skin irritation. Made from formaldehyde.
vanillin
What is it? Synthetic vanilla
Why is it bad? Possible skin allergen. May cause headaches.
xylitol
What is it? Sugar-free sweetener
Why is it bad? Poorly absorbed by the body. Large amounts can have a laxative effect.