10 foods you didn't realize contained disease-causing food additives

Daily Mail​

08-06-2025

The so-called 'Skittles ban,' signed by Gavin Newsom in 2023 banned four food additives that have been linked to kidney, thyroid and gastrointestinal cancer and mood disorders. California's law is a big step forward in protecting Americans from dangerous chemicals in foods and health officials and experts are calling on other states, and the federal government, to follow its lead. The four banned additives in the Golden State are: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye No.3.
Diet and citrus sodas: Brominated vegetable oil. When you reach for a refreshing bubbly drink beware you also could be reaching for brominated vegetable (BVO), one of the additives banned in California. The ingredient often shows up in diet and citrus sodas to stop ingredients in fruit-flavored soft drinks from separating.
BVO hasn't been declared a carcinogen and it is still allowed to be used in foods, though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said the ingredient should be consumed only on an interim basis. Exposure to BVO can irritate the nose, throat, lungs and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, throat, stomach and lungs. Repeated and long term exposure to the chemical can also cause neurological issues like memory loss, impaired balance and coordination and headaches and in rodent studies, the animals had high tissue levels of bromine, which posed a danger to thyroid health.
Chocolate candies and flavored chips: Artificial colors. Some popular brands of bite-sized chocolate candies and sweetly flavored chips get their signature hues and flavor from artificial coloring, including Red 3, included in California's new bill, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40. While the additives may make these foods eye-catching and tasty, they can also make them harmful to your health. Some research has shown these dyes are associated with allergies and asthma and a recent study in mice linked Red 40 to inflammatory bowel disease. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reported that Red 3 causes cancer in animals and there is evidence several other dyes are carcinogenic.
Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 have been found to be contaminated with benzidine and other carcinogens. Additionally, at least four dyes - Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 - cause hypersensitivity reactions, with studies showing consumption of artificial food coloring produces statistically significant increases in ADHD symptoms in children. Red 3 specifically has been found to cause cancer and thyroid tumors in lab animals and has been linked to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in children.
But the ingredient, which has been banned in the European Union, China and India because of its dangerous impact on health, has been shown to cause nose, throat and lung irritation. It has also been shown in lab tests to cause renal and thyroid tumors to form in rats.
Cheeses, pickles, syrups, jams and wines: Propylparaben. The fourth and last additive included in California's new ban is propylparaben. That charcuterie board at your next housewarming party may look appetizing and be jam packed with the classics, but a wine and cheese night should be enjoyed with caution. Propylparaben occurs as a natural substance in plants and some insects. It is typically used in a variety of water-based cosmetics and personal-care products, as well as a food additive. The substance, however, has been shown to cause endocrine disruption and reproductive issues. However, the FDA has said the substance is generally regarded as safe.
Lunch and processed meats: Heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Classified as carcinogens, lunch meats and processed meats like hot dogs, sausage and bacon contain two ingredients called heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Heterocyclic amines are mutagenic chemicals that form when cooking muscle meats, such as beef, pork, chicken and fish. They are some of the most potent mutagens and have shown to induce tumors in animal models. PAHs are chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline. They come from burning coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage and tobacco and the high heat needed to cook meat will form PAHs. PAHs, however, may cause cancer and harm the eyes, kidneys and liver.
Potato chips and French fries: Acrylamide. While your guilty pleasure may be diving into a bag of potato chips on the couch or you find yourself hitting the drive-thru to satisfy a craving for french fries, these two foods should be eaten with caution because they contain acrylamide. Acrylamide is a substance that can form through a natural chemical reaction in some foods during high-temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting and baking. However, in the body, acrylamide is converted into a compound called glycidamide, which causes mutations in and damage to the DNA. Additionally, studies in rodent models have found exposure to the substance increases the risk for several types of cancer.
Gummy and sour candies: Titanium dioxide. With Halloween right around the corner, store shelves are stocked with candy favorites. And while trick-or-treaters may want to fill their bags with classic sour and gummy treats, they should heed caution before unwrapping their night's reapings. These popular candies contain titanium dioxide, a substance that has been shown to cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Exposure to it in animal studies also showed it to cause lung cancer. This compound is banned in Europe over concerns its particles have genotoxic effects — or the ability to directly damage a person's DNA. However, the FDA still allows it in Americans' foods.
Ice cream and cream cheese: rBGH and rBST. If you prefer cream cheese over butter on your bagel or indulge in a scoop or two of ice cream after dinner, you could unknowingly be consuming potentially harmful hormones. Recombinate bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or recombinate bovine somatotropin (rBST) is a synthetic version of a hormone cows produce to regulate certain metabolic processes. It has been marketed to dairy farmers to increase milk production in cows and has been approved by the FDA since 1993, but is banned in Europe and Canada. Research into the hormone's link to breast cancer has produced mixed results but the use of rBST has been shown to increase levels of insulin-like growth factor, a protein found naturally in milk. Some studies have shown insulin-like growth factor to be linked to prostate, breast and colorectal cancers.
Bread and flour: Azodicarbonamide. Not only do bagels, bread, pastries and tortillas contain the harmful potassium bromate, these products, along with hamburger and hot dog buns, also have azodicarbonamide, or ADA, in them. This ingredient is a chemical compound approved by the FDA to use as a whitening agent and is used to strengthen and enhance the elasticity of dough in cereal flour and bread dough. It is sometimes called the 'yoga mat' chemical because it is widely used in foamed plastics. The additive is banned in Europe and Australia. While not classified as a carcinogen, some case reports and epidemiological studies in humans have produced evidence the compound can induce asthma and respiratory symptoms, as well as skin irritation.
Sugary cereals: BHA and BHT. Sugary cereals may be appealing to kids - and kids at heart - but they contain the ingredients butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). BHA is a synthetic petrochemical used widely as a preservative in cereals and other dry goods. BHT is used in similar products and helps fats in foods stay fresher longer. BHA is considered a carcinogen and has been shown to promote tumor growth and impair blood clotting. It also acts as an endocrine disruptor and is associated with the underdevelopment of the reproductive system. BHA and BHT both pose a threat to the circulatory system and BHT can impact testosterone levels.