intro: Big Food is ditching risky ingredients: Kraft removed Yellow Nos. 5 and 6 from some of its mac and cheeses, and Gatorade got rid of brominated vegetable oil.
But there's still a ways to go. We'd love to see more food folks quit the following chemicals.
quicklist: 1 category: Food Additives To Avoid title: Artificial food dyes url: text: Petroleum-based dyes such as Blue No. 2 and Yellow No. 5 are banned elsewhere for their potential roles in hyperactivity and cancer. Pick foods naturally colored by beets and turmeric; organics are a safe bet.
quicklist: 2 category: Food Additives To Avoid title: Brominated vegetable oil url: text: BVO contains bromine—a compound found in flame retardants—and is linked to memory problems. It's used as an emulsifier in some sodas, sports drinks, and juices, so check ingredient lists.
quicklist: 3 category: Food Additives To Avoid title: Caramel coloring url: text: It's made by heating sugars, often with ammonia, and the state of California has labeled one of its compounds a carcinogen. Opt for natural brown dyes like annatto extract.
quicklist: 4 category: Food Additives To Avoid title: Butylated hydroxyanisole url: text: This petroleum-derived packaged-food preservative is a probable carcinogen. But some spices adequately replace BHA, so there may be hope for a preservative-free future.