I put together a few examples for you of ingredients that have been allowed into our food supply, despite ample research linking them to cancer. The fact that these are (or have been) allowed in our food is outrageous, as there are safer ingredients and practices that could be used by the industry. This is not an exhaustive list, as sadly the list of potentially cancerous ingredients in our food is much longer. 1. Titanium Dioxide:
You’ll find Titanium Dioxide in reportedly over 11,000 products in U.S. grocery stores and SO MANY products targeting children…Including some you’d never know because it’s hidden under another name on the ingredient list!
This whitening and brightening agent was banned in Europe after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found it no longer safe to eat based on their review of hundreds of scientific studies showing that it has genotoxic effects. This means that it has the ability to damage DNA, leading to cancer. (3)
Food companies all over Europe swiftly removed this chemical…but they aren’t in America. Because Titanium Dioxide is still allowed by the FDA here. Beware that the FDA doesn’t even require food companies to list Titanium Dioxide by name on an ingredient list. It can also be listed as “artificial color” “artificial color added” or “color added” on an ingredient list.
There’s a bill pending in California that will ban the use of Titanium Dioxide. (4) If this CA bill passes and these companies want to continue selling these products in California, they would need to remove Titanium Dioxide. Which would likely mean that their products would change nationwide because it would be difficult to create a different product without Titanium Dioxide just for California. This is pretty cool if you ask me! In the meantime, make sure you check the ingredient label for titanium dioxide, artificial color, or color added.
Popular products with Titanium Dioxide:
Little Debbie Honey Buns
Kellogg’s Pop Tarts (hidden under “color added”)
Totino’s Pizza Rolls
Hostess Donettes
Post Oreo O’s Cereal
Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles
Skittles
Ken’s Light Ranch Dressing
2. Sucralose:
This is an artificial sweetener made in a laboratory by reacting sugar with Chlorine, otherwise known by the brand name “Splenda”. Research done in Europe showed that rats developed leukemia and related blood cancers after consuming Sucralose. (5) This is why the Center For Science In The Public Interest (CSPI) considers Sucralose a top ingredient to avoid. (6) There are other health risks associated with Sucralose too, such as disrupting healthy gut bacteria and inducing food cravings. (7, 8) You’ll often find Sucralose in “zero sugar” drinks and other products targeting people trying to lose weight, but it’s in some kid’s products too.
Popular products with Sucralose:
Gatorade Zero
Powerade Zero
PRIME Hydration
Kool-Aid Jammers Zero Sugar
Celsius
Fiber One Cereal
International Delight Zero Coffee Creamer
Arizona Zero Calorie Green Tea
Breyer’s Carb Smart
Mission Carb Balance Tortillas
Outshine No Sugar Bars
Yoplait Light Yogurt
3. BHA:
BHA is otherwise known as Butylated Hydroxyanisole. This preservative has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor, increasing the risk of cancer. (9) The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies BHA as “possibly carcinogenic to humans“ (10) and it has been deemed a “reasonably anticipated human carcinogen” by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, National Toxicology Program. (11) Its use is severely restricted in Europe, but the FDA doesn’t care and allows food companies to use it in America. (12) You’ll often find this preservative in sausage, pizza, canned soup, boxed potatoes, drink mixes, canned refried beans, spaghetti sauce, and chewing gum.
Popular products with BHA:
Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage
Kool-Aid Drink Mix (some flavors)
Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes
Campbell’s Chunky Minestrone Sausage Soup
Pepperoni Bagel Bites
Freschetta Pepperoni Pizza
Hormel Pepperoni