FOOD ADDTIVITIES AND THEIR BENEFITS WHEN USED PROPERLY

Many consumers often have persistent concerns about food additives, fearing them as potentially harmful chemicals. However, this concern is unnecessary for additives that have been permitted for use, as these substances have been proven to be safe for human health within allowed levels.

Helping Food Stay Fresh and Delicious

When used correctly, food additives enable us to enjoy a wide variety of healthy seasonal foods. Additives contribute to food freshness in at least five ways:

1. Slowing the Spoilage Process: Additives help slow down the spoilage of food.
2. Maintaining and Increasing Nutritional Value: They contribute to and enhance the nutritional value of food.
3. Integral to Baking: Additives are essential in the production of various bread and sweet products.
4. Enhancing Color, Flavor, and Appearance: They improve the color, flavor, and sensory characteristics of food.
5. Preserving the Taste and Structure of Food: Additives prevent changes in taste and structure.

In fact, the scientific names of these food additives mentioned on labels may sound unfamiliar, but they are quite common in our daily lives. For example, table salt is sodium chloride, vitamin C is ascorbic acid, and vitamin E is alpha-tocopherol.

Not all food additives have familiar names, but it’s essential to remember that all the food we consume is composed of chemical components, much like the human body. Standard food production processes only allow the use of food additives within permitted limits while still meeting the final product requirements.

The most commonly used food additives today include salt, sugar, corn syrup, vitamin C, vitamin E, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These substances help extend the shelf life of products, prevent rancidity in fats and oils, and inhibit color changes and alterations in food structure.

Food Additives Provide Convenience and Efficiency

Food additives bring convenience and effectiveness to a wide range of delicious and nutritious foods. Although their quantities in food are very small, their impact is significant. Without these additives, it would be challenging to achieve the diversity of foods available today.

Additives added to enhance the nutritional value of food are particularly beneficial for health as they supplement lost nutrients during food processing. For example, flours and rice are supplemented with B-group vitamins lost during milling.

According to regulations, some foods are fortified with essential nutrients to ensure consumers meet their daily recommended intake, such as adding vitamin D to milk, vitamin A to margarine, iron, and folic acid to flour, and various cereals.

Food Additives Do Not Cause ADHD in Children

A few years ago, Dr. Benjamin Feingold, a pediatrician specializing in allergies, claimed that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) significantly improved when children followed a diet eliminating certain food additives, including artificial colors and flavors, as well as natural salicylates in fruits and vegetables. However, when scientifically examined, this diet did not prove as effective as claimed. Improvements in the behavior of some children were primarily due to parental attention.

In another study, a group of children with severe ADHD exhibited worsened behavior when consuming large doses of artificial color additives. However, the dosage used in this study was much higher than the actual levels in food, making the findings less applicable to real-life situations.

It’s important to note that children can be sensitive to any type of food additive. If you suspect that unusual changes in your child’s behavior are related to their diet, consult with a doctor immediately. Experts can help determine the child’s condition accurately and provide recommendations on reducing a specific type of food and suggesting suitable replacements.

Dr. Pham Van Hoan, PhD (Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine)