Featured Article from "Organic. It's Worth It."

Knowing what's in your food - and what's not - is an important step toward good health. The trouble is, it's not always easy to do. Sometimes ingredients are hard to recognize because they are listed under an unfamiliar name; other times, products contain harmful substances like pesticide residues that aren't labelled at all. Here is some basic information to keep in mind as you scan the aisles for the best food for you and your family.

What are some examples of common chemical additives in food?

Some common additives include artificial flavors (e.g. aspartame), colors (e.g. red dye), and preservatives (e.g.: BHA).

Are chemical additives safe?

A recent report issued by the Center for Public Safety found that nine synthetic dyes used in conventional foods present "a rainbow of risks," including allergic reactions, hyperactivity and even cancer."

The Center for Science in the Public Interest advises avoiding a long list of additives, on the basis that they are "unsafe in amounts consumed or is very poorly tested and not worth any risk."

How can you avoid chemical additives in your food?

Go organic! Organic food contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Minor ingredients used in organic food must come from a list of approved substances that have been evaluated for safety and their impact on both human and environmental health. By law, these ingredients must make up 5% or less of the total ingredients used to make organic food.

Organic processors must take a number of steps to ensure additional standards are met for how the snacks are made. This means thoroughly cleaning machinery, storing organic ingredients separate from non-organic ones to avoid mixing, and lots of record-keeping to verify that when you buy an organic product it contains only what you expect.

 Deborah is the Health Director for Organic Liaison, has been a Registered Dietitian for over 16 years, counseling clients on nutrition and fitness, and is the author of 200 Superfoods That Will Save Your Life published by McGraw-Hill, Inc. Her mission is to educate Organic Liaison members to achieve optimal wellness through balanced eating and exercise. For more on Deborah - click here.