History; German, was regulated by the FDA to only be used in sugar free baked produce, gum and gelatins until 1998 it was allowed to be used in soda and soft drinks
Safety; in the 70's there were 'mediocre' tests done, but none very completely or thoroughly. rat studies that were conducted indicated that Acesulfame K is carciogenic and it's byproduct, acetoacetamide, affected the thyroid glands in small animals.
Aspartame
Found in; Equal, Nutrisweet, Gums, Soft Drinks, Gelatins ect.
It is a chemical combo of two amino acids along with Methanol.
History; In the 70s, a study concluded that aspartame was unsafe because it caused brain tumors in rats. THE FDA (THREATENED?) PRESSURED THEM TO REVERSE THE OUTCOME OF THEIR STUDIES. In Italy 2005 another study took place where 8 week old rats were exposed to aspartame. The females developed lymphoma and leukimia but the EFSA (Euro Food Safety Authority) concluded it HAPPENED BY CHANCE. In 2007 the same Italian company did another study, introducing rats to the substance in utero. Not only did they develpe lymphoma and leukimia, but they also had forms of breast cancer. It was decided that their research was more fruitful than previous studies because the study lasted 3 years rather than 2.
In a 5 year long 2006 study by the US Cancer Institute, a group of 50-69 year olds were monitored and the study results indicated that aspartame was not a problem. BUT THERE WERE THREE MAJOR FLAWS.
I. "It did not involve truly elderly people (the rat studies monitored the rats until they died a natural death), "
II. "the subjects had not consumed aspartame as children, and it was not a controlled study (the subjects provided only a rough estimate of their aspartame consumption"
III. "people who consumed aspartame might have had other dietary or lifestyle differences that obscured the chemical’s effects)".
BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA)
Used in; Cereals, potato chips, chewing gum and veggie oils all as an antioxidant to prevent decay. (Like that's not a cover claim of being healthy. >:O )
Safety; Throughout studies, some have proven harmless while others indicate cancer in the forestomach (an organ homosapiens don't have) in small rodents. The US Department of Health declares BHA to be "“reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” so the FDA still permits it's use in foods. Assholes.
BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT)
Used in; Cereals, potato chips, chewing gum and veggie oils all as an antioxidant to prevent decay just like BHA.
Safety; Contradictory studies indicate it both increases/decreases risk of cancer. It is stored in our fat.
CARMINE; COCHINEAL EXTRACT
What is it? A coloring that is refined and concentrated. Originally extracted from the eggs of the Cochineal Beetle.
Safety; many people have allergic reactions ranging from mild symptoms to severe life threatening hives or shock.
CARRAGEENAN
Used in; ice cream, chocolate milk, baby formula and jelly as a thickening substance. Extracted from seaweed.
Safety; some studies indicate damage to animal's colon but it's generally reguarded as 'safe'.
CYCLAMATE
BANNED IN 1970. Was originally used in diet foods as an artifical sweetener. GO FDA!!
It is now belived to not directly cause cancer but promotes carciogenity in other cancerous substances.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
History; has been used more and more exponentially since the 80s. Contrary to popular belief, it is made up of almost equal percents of Glucose and Fructose just like table sugar. Some people blame it for increased obesity.
Safety; This artical believes it isn't any more fattening or unhealthy than regular sugar.
How it's made; "HFCS starts out as cornstarch. Companies use enzymes or acids to break down the starch into its glucose subunits. Then other enzymes convert different proportions of the glucose to fructose. The resulting syrups contain as much as 90 percent fructose, but most HFCS is 42 percent or 55 percent fructose."
HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (HVP)
Used in; "savory" flavor enhancer in soups, meats ect;
What is it? It is made of a veggie proteins (most often soybeans) that have chemically been broken down to amino acids. It's purpose is to bring out the natural flavor of the food so less real food and more crap can be used.
IT CONTAINS MSG.
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG)
Used in; EVERYTHING, chips, soups, sauces, dressings all to bring out the "savory" flavor of things.
Safety; In the 60s a study showed that MSG caused serious nerve damage to baby mice. When this study was publicized, the people revolted to have it banned from BABY FOOD. (in which it was added to make the food taste better to the PARENTS.)
"Careful studies have shown that some people are sensitive to MSG. Reactions include headache, nausea, weakness, and burning sensation in the back of neck and forearms. Some people complain of wheezing, changes in heart rate, and difficulty breathing. Some people claim to be sensitive to very small amounts of MSG, but no good studies have been done to determine just how little MSG can cause a reaction in the most-sensitive people. "
NEOTAME
Made by the NutraSweet, the same company that invented Aspartame. 40x as sweet as Aspartame.
*Supposedly safer and more stable so it can be used in baked goods.
*Approved by the FDA in 2002.
Partially Hydrogeninated Veggie Oil (trans fat)
Found in; Fat, oil, shortening: Margarine, crackers, fried restaurant foods, baked goods
"trans fat is even more harmful than saturated fat" (FDA)
Safety; The Harvard School of Public Health announced that Trans Fat causes about 50,000 'premature heart attack deahts' per year.
History; After the publication of it's terrible nature, many large fast food chains have stopped using them and food products must contain the amount or lack of trans fat in their ingrediants.
"the FDA considers that oil to be “generally recognized as safe,” even though it and everyone else considers it to be “generally recognized as dangerous.” "
Potassium Bromate
Banned in all of the world except the US and Japan. Bromate has been officially proven to cause cancer in animals and in 1999 it was petetioned to be removed from all food products.
Saccharin
Found in; "diet foods", soda, "sweetener packets" "Sweet N Low"
Safety; Studies show that it not only increases the 'cancer potency' of other chemicals but it causes tumors and forms of cancer in the bladder, ovaries and uterus.
History; In 1977, there were petetions to have it banned but the FDA permitted it as long as it had a warning on it. Though the FDA acknowledges it causes cancer in male rats, they feel that it would not affect humans. (BULLSHIT.) After this, other artifical sweeteners such as Aspartame became more popular. (Pick your poison?)
In 2000, the Federal Department of Assholes issued that Saccharin be removed from the 'cancer causing substances' list and no longer requires the cancer warnings.
When death by cancer rates increase, we'll know why.
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