Originally published December 27 2005
Fast-food critics warn about the deceptions that obscure fast-food additives
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Parents Jury and other consumer advocates have been drawing public attention to the chemical additives used by the fast food industry, raising concern about the adverse health effects that can result from these chemicals.
Not only are many fast foods high in fat and sugar, they are also packed with chemical additives.
A review of fast food ingredients reveals a McDonald's Big Mac contains 15 additives, including sorbic acid, lactic acid, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.
A serve of fries comes with the sweetener dextrose and the antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole, which the World Health Organisation has linked with cancer.
A healthy eating advocacy group fears fast food retailers are being heavy handed with additives, which are chemicals added to processed foods to keep them fresh or to enhance colour, flavour or texture.
"They have made a big deal about removing this and dropping down their fats and sugars and all the rest of it, but they're not so vocal about the number of additives in their food," Ms Johnston said.
It shows Big Mac sauce has 19 ingredients, including acid treated starch, sweeteners, corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup, and preservative potassium sorbate.
Hungry Jack's, which also publishes nutritional information on its food, adds the same emulsifiers, preservatives and colours to burger buns and cheese slices as McDonald's.
Dietitian Alan Barclay said some additives could cause allergic reactions such as diarrhoea, hives, rashes, swelling, asthma and insomnia.
"There is far less risk of a reaction to additives than the risk of food poisoning if they are not used," he said.
Mr Barclay said additives were safe and used in all processed food, under the strict control of Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
A McDonald's spokeswoman said the company strove to keep customers informed, with nutritional information on its website and in brochures at all 730 restaurants.
"Any additives are those included by the supplier to maintain quality."
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