Chemicals in

Foods That You Eat

By: Andrew Palmer, Diane Tran, Jorge Avila and Jessica
Le

Dyes, MSG, BPA, Artificial Flavors

and Aspartame
dyes are pigments that give color when added to foods or drinks
monosodium glutamate is a salt of the amino acid glutamic acid
used to enhance flavor
BPA is a chemical that is used to make certain plastics and
resins
artificial flavors are mixtures of compounds combined to
imitate a flavor
aspartame is a very sweet substance used as an artificial
sweetener

Indigo Carmine
Molecular Formula: CHNNaOS
Uses
pH indicator
dye for candies and drinks

Where is indigo carmine found?

M&M chocolates
yoplait

Hazards: occurrences of tumors particularly brain gliomas, high blood

pressure and in some cases hyperactivity within children

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Molecular Formula: C5H8NO4NA
Uses
food enhancer

Where is MSG Found?

soups
canned food
junk food
processed meats

Hazards: causes heart palpitations, nausea, high cholesterol levels

Bisphenol A (BPA)
Molecular Formula: C15H16O2
Uses
make certain plastics
make cups and bottles

Where is bisphenol A found?

ramen noodles
leached into the noodles after hot water is added
cup macaroni
leached into the macaroni when microwaved

Artificial Flavors
Uses
give foods the flavor people desire

sucralose (artificial
sweetener)

cheaper alternative compared to natural flavors

Where are artificial flavors found?

nerds, skittles, etc.
fruit snacks
almost in everything

Hazards: causes brain damage, seizures, tumors and bladder cancer

Aspartame
Uses
sweeten low-calorie beverages or foods

Where is aspartame found?

diet soda
sugar-free gum
condiments
soft drinks

Hazards: possible cause of birth defects, sleeping problems and

Benefits
Dyes
makes food look appealing
MSG
creates amazing flavors in food that most love
BPA
gives food protection against other harmful chemicals and
bacteria
makes it much easier to consume our beverages

Benefits
Artificial Flavors
creates flavors that we desire
Aspartame
gives sweetness without the extra calories

Government Action
Dyes: The FDA held meetings in 2011 to determine if dyes actually
cause hyperactivity within kids Now the FDA has done nothing to stop
the additives within foods

MSG: While other countries such as Australia, Europe and Canada have
banned all use of MSG. The FDA claims MSG is harmless and will not
ban it.

BPA: Somes states in the U.S have banned liquids, foods and
beverages that contain BPA and requires manufacturers to use a less

Government Action
Artificial Flavors: The FDA posed no actions towards keeping
artificial flavors out of the public's foods, but in some states people are
demanding stores to not sell foods that possess artificial flavors

Aspartame: FDA reviewed a study on concerning aspartame, and

finds that the use of aspartame is safe and will continue being used

Video

Question To Think About

Knowing the effects these
chemicals have on your body,
would you still eat foods that
contain them? Why or why not?

Works Cited
http://www.special-education-degree.net/food-dyes/
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/30/134962888/fda-probes-link-between-food-dyes-kids-behavior
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/monosodium-glu
tamate/faq-20058196
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/ramen-noodles-lovers-beware/
http://www.saferstates.com/toxic-chemicals/bisphenol-a/
http://blogs.natureshappiness.com/side-effects-of-artificial-flavoring/
http://www.healthline.com/health/aspartame-side-effects#SideEffects4
http://www.md-health.com/What-Foods-Contain-Aspartame.html