Nutrition
Question: Do preservatives in food products have
any bad health effects?
Answer: Usually, no. Preservatives are entirely
safe for the vast majority of people. For some, however, they may cause
problems.
An example of a preservative
that affects some people badly is sulfites. Sulfites are used to reduce
discoloration of fruits and vegetables (like dried apples) and are also used in
making wine. While most people don't have trouble with them, some--especially
people with asthma--are very sensitive or even allergic to them. For these
people, exposure to sulfites may cause
- Trouble breathing.
- Nausea.
- Hives.
- Anaphylactic shock.
The US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) carefully regulates many food preservatives under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This helps to ensure the safety of
ingredients that food manufacturers add to their products. The regulations
specify the type and amount of preservative that may be added. They must be
listed on ingredient labels of all foods that contain them.
Because of the problems some
people have with sulfites, the FDA banned their use on fruits and vegetables
meant to be eaten raw (like at salad bars). Also, food products containing at
least 10 parts per million of sulfites or containing sulfites as preservatives
must be labeled accordingly.
Food preservatives are important
to help keep food from spoiling: They prevent the growth of molds and bacteria
and also help to keep foods from becoming rancid. The FDA continues to monitor
the safety of all food preservatives. The Adverse Reaction Monitoring System
(ARMS) helps the FDA to collect and act on complaints about all food
ingredients.
If you have more questions about
the safety of food preservatives, or questions about a specific preservative,
contact the FDA (www.cfsan.fda.gov) or talk to your doctor.
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