Many of the products could be consumed within the same day, resulting in ‘cumulative exposure to multiple additives of concern,’ the report said.
An analysis of 40 popular food products used in American households found that a quarter of them contained additives that exceeded safety thresholds for consumption.
Conducted by wellness company Yuka and Consumer Reports, the analysis tested several food items for eight additives and two contaminants.
“One-quarter contained concerning levels of additives—enough that a single serving had more than the amount some public health agencies have identified as safe for adults or children to consume daily,” Consumer Reports said in a June 9 report.
“Nearly two-thirds of the 40 products tested contained enough of at least one additive to exceed a broader group of reference levels associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, heart disease, or diabetes,” the report said.
The analyzed food items included snacks, desserts, ice creams, processed meat, chips, yogurt, sodas, gelatins, flavored drinks, fruit juices, puddings, pastries, energy drinks, sweet baked goods, and potato-based products, Yuka said in a June 9 report.
Product samples were analyzed in an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory. The concentration of additives was then compared against daily safety thresholds identified by public health agencies in the United States or Europe, as well as peer-reviewed studies.
Coloring additive Red 40, and artificial sweeteners acesulfame-K, aspartame, and sucralose, were the most frequently identified at “concerning” levels.
As for contaminants, a considerable quantity was found in six out of 13 tested products, the report said.
“Taken together, these results raise serious concerns given how frequently these products are consumed. Many are eaten daily by millions of children and adults across the United States. More importantly, several of these products can easily be consumed within the same day, leading to cumulative exposure to multiple additives of concern,” Yuka said.
According to the Environmental Working Group, Red 40 is of “moderate concern” in food. Specific concerns about the additive include allergic reactions, negative impacts on an enzyme critical for the endocrine system, hypersensitivity reactions, and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes among children.
As for artificial sweeteners, a 2023 study published in the Cureus journal suggested that these additives “can impact various functions of the gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiovascular systems.”
