Consumers must beware of an unholy trinity of food additives, according to this expert.
California gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi has taken to TikTok to call out three potentially carcinogenic chemicals found in many processed foods sold in the U.S.
His warning comes as more than 1,000 cereal lovers and health activists marched on Kellogg’s Michigan headquarters earlier this month, demanding the end of “harmful additives” being injected into stateside batches of products like Froot Loops and Apple Jacks.
Recent research has shown that 60% of adult Americans’ daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) — and for children, it’s 70%.
A study published by the BMJ revealed that exposure to UPFs was associated with 32 poor health outcomes, including mental, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and metabolic complications. Some of the linked conditions include cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Sethi stressed the importance of checking food labels before consumption, as many additives that are banned or restricted in other countries are permitted in the United States.
Tartrazine
Number one on Sethi’s list is tartrazine, also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5, an artificial food dye often found in processed pastries, chips, breakfast cereals, and colored candy.
Sethi explains, “This is linked to hyperactivity, asthma, and even behavioral issues in children. It is banned or restricted in many countries, yet it is still found in snacks, drinks, and even vitamins here in the U.S.”
Per The Post, FD&C Yellow No. 5 is believed to contribute to allergic reactions in asthmatics as well as those with low tolerance to aspirin.
Earlier this month, researchers found that the popular food dye can turn mice’s skin completely transparent — making their organs visible.
BHA
BHA, or butylated hydroxyanisole, is a preservative that keeps oils from spoiling.
Sethi notes that BHA, a potential carcinogen, is banned in Japan but commonly added to chips, cereals, meat products, dry mixes for beverages and desserts, glazed fruits and chewing gum.
In addition to cancer, consumption of BHA has been linked to impaired cognition.
Potassium bromate
Sethi points a final finger at potassium bromate, which is used to strengthen the texture of bread but is also known to cause cancer in lab rats and may cause kidney issues in humans.
Potassium bromate is banned from food products in the European Union, China, Canada, the UK and India but is permitted in American products.
As a result, The Post previously reported, Erik Millstone, an expert on food additives, claimed that potassium bromate is “almost certainly” causing avoidable illnesses, such as cancer, in Americans.
“There is evidence that it may be toxic to human consumers, that it may even either initiate or promote the development of tumors,” the University of Sussex in England professor told CBS News, adding that European regulations are more restrictive due to food-safety diligence.
And some U.S. states are hoping to catch up.
Earlier this year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the California School Food Safety Act, which bans various additives linked to developmental and behavioral problems in children from school cafeterias.
The ingredients have all been approved for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.
Brands have until January 2027 to remove those ingredients from their products, or they could be subject to fines of up to $10,000.
