Category: Chemical additives

According to manufacturers and chemical synthesis standards, sodium benzoate is not a GMO. This common food preservative is produced through a chemical reaction in a lab, not by modifying the genetic material of an organism.

While the U.S. FDA has long classified BHT as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), recent findings from animal studies have raised significant concerns about the potential harmful effects of BHT, particularly when consumed in high doses. This has prompted some companies and regulators in other regions to either reduce or re-evaluate its use.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other global regulatory agencies, a highly purified and regulated version of trisodium phosphate, or TSP, is indeed food-safe when used as an additive. The confusion surrounding the safety of TSP stems from the stark difference between this food-grade form and the industrial-strength cleaner that bears the same name.

Sodium benzoate, an internationally recognized food preservative, was the first preservative approved by the FDA for use in foods. Primarily known for its ability to prevent microbial growth in acidic foods, sodium benzoate offers a range of benefits that extend far beyond the kitchen, impacting the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries as well.

Over a century ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved sodium benzoate as a food preservative, and it remains widely used today. However, debates about its safety persist, with many consumers asking: Is sodium benzoate harmful to humans? This article provides a comprehensive overview of the science behind this additive.

According to regulatory bodies like the FDA, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) has a long history of use as a preservative in food and cosmetics, recognized for its effectiveness at low concentrations. This synthetic antioxidant has become a staple in various industries for its ability to prevent oxidative degradation and extend product life.

While potassium iodate is an effective, stable source of iodine used in iodized salt in many countries, a 2013 study found that it may cause oxidative damage to thyroid lipids at high concentrations, unlike potassium iodide. The primary concerns revolve around misuse, excessive intake, and potential irritant properties, not its regulated, minor presence in food products.

Ammonium sulfate, a compound with multiple industrial uses, is also a legally approved food additive known as E517 or "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) by the FDA, but only when specifically manufactured to meet strict food-grade standards. This distinction is critical for consumer safety, as the industrial version, commonly sold as fertilizer, contains impurities and is not safe for consumption.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), tannic acid is affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use as a direct food ingredient, but with specific limitations. This status is based on a long history of safe use and available scientific evidence regarding its applications in certain food and beverage products.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), butane (E 943a) is an approved food additive used as a propellant in certain aerosol food products like cooking sprays. While pure, liquefied butane is a flammable gas, its use in food production is highly regulated and it is typically found in trace amounts in certain processed foods.