I was just watching bio-chemist on a TV show about healthful eating. He showed the list of FDA approved food additives and it is more than 100 pages long. It includes many substances known to be carcinogens and to have other adverse health affects, but approved.

One of the main additives especially to fast food and Chinese food is MSG to which many people have severe reactions including headache and others more serious. It was shown to lead to visual problems, even blindness in a Japanese study. MSG is even in some baby foods. It goes by many names on the products. It is often called "natural flavoring" because it is a flavor enhancer.

The chemist discussed the sulfites used in pre packaged foods and Nitrites in cured meat, both of which are known carcinigens.

Splenda causes gas and diarrhea and affects the immune system as well as all kinds of other things. Aspartame causes heaches, dizziness and of all things WEIGHT gain. Along with processed sugar it has been linked to ADDHD in children.

Just thoughts.
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When I worked in Washington, DC back in the 80's the major neswspaper I worked for did an exposes' on the FDA and was not surprised to find out that pretty much all it took to be approved by this outfit was a very large contribution to their organization, approximately $250,000.00. Bribe, did I hear the word bribe, OH NO, not the FDA the protectors of our nations foods, etc. Yea right!!! If your smart you'll investigate your own foods, with the computers capabalities, its not difficult. The FDA not only approves items from major contributors but even WORSE, it doesn't approve things like cancer cures if enough hush hush money is paid to keep it quiet. What I saw working and living in Washington, made me sick and very untrusting of anything political like the FDA.

Chatty, I was in DC about that time. I worked for a federal grant program, but I was also a consultant to US Public health and the world health organization. Through that I became far too familiar with the FDA system. They are a governent agency and I don't think they can accept contributions, but what they do is they get extremely lucrative jobs in the companies who sell the drugs they approve. It's all a pay off and they have so much power over our health.

It's one of my soapboxes.
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That's why I read all labels and avoid anything I'm not sure about. A basic axiom is: the longer the list of ingredients, the more potential trouble.