EWG Advises Consumers to Avoid Certain Food Additives in Updated Guide

Consumer advocacy watchdog Environmental Working Group (EWG) has
issued a new iteration of its “Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives.” Reportedly
based on hundreds of studies and information culled from EWG’s Food Scores
database, the resource purports to cover “food additives associated with
serious health concerns, ingredients banned or restricted in other countries,
and other substances that shouldn’t be in food.”

The substances that EWG deems the “dirty dozen” include nitrites and
nitrates; potassium bromate; propyl paraben; butylated hydrosyanisole (BHA);
butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); propyl gallate; theobromine; secret flavor
ingredients; artificial colors; diacetyl; phosphate-based food additives; and
aluminum-based food additives. See EWG Press Release, November 12, 2014.

Issue 545