Why does food in america contain some much additives?

Answer 1

because our government is using us as human guinea pigs.

Answer 2

because it's cheaper to process. growing food organically (i.e., without pesiticides, gmo's or additives) is time consuming and therefore expensive. but if you put a lot of filler into the food you can sell less of it for more money. also there is the issue of preservation. most organic foods alone will not last nearly as long as their processed counterparts. that's because the processed foods contain chemicals that make them stay fresh longer. that is, they are inhibited from spoiling.
personally i'd rather pay more money for organic foods than buy 100 lbs. of franken-food or preservative laden snacks.

Answer 3

Its called culling the nation. Things in the UK are getting just as bad. The one to avoid is any food and drinks that contain Aspartame. That is an artifical sweetner that was first produced over 20 years ago as a "RAT POISON". It can be found in all diet products including gum. It's the silent killer......

Answer 4

Several reasons: longer shelf life, taste better, sometimes additives are cheaper than the "real" stuff, improve the appearance of food, and of course, to keep you stupid so you may not successfully compete with others. I'm certain there are many other reasons as well.

Answer 5

Because they want it to have a long shelf life and they don't care. That is why i eat fresh food only no box stuff or prepared ready to eat it has too much garbage in it.

Answer 6

because we Americans tend to be quite greedy when it comes to things that we like... That's why our obesity rate is so high and why our children love to find addictions to things that are not so good for them. Its a crazy world. We're just power hungry fools, I suppose you could say. Oh dear... Oil guzzling, food eating, addiction feeding fools... :(

My, that was negative...

Answer 7

To keep food eatable for longer time. Of course we will all die from cancer ...

Answer 8

Its called welfare, we subsidize the farmer by putting corn syrup in EVERYTHING.

Answer 9

for preservatives

Answer 10

Can you give some facts?
They don't use preservatives in the food in your country?
here you go....I did some of your research for you...

from link

First the list of about 325 ingredients authorised in Europe. See my comments at the bottom. The missing numbers, e.g. E103, E105 etc. are not authorised.
E100 Curcumin
E101 (i) Riboflavin (ii) Riboflavin-5'-phosphate
E102 Tartrazine
E104 Quinoline Yellow
E110 Sunset Yellow FCF, Orange Yellow S
E120 Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines
E122 Azorubine, Carmoisine
E123 Amaranth
E124 Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A
E127 Erythrosine
E128 Red 2G
E129 Allura Red AC
E131 Patent Blue V
E132 Indigotine, Indigo carmine
E133 Brilliant Blue FCF
E140 Chlorophylis and Chlorophyllins: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins
E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls (ii) Copper complexes of chlorophyllins
E142 Greens S
E150a Plain caramel
E150b Caustic sulphite caramel
E150c Ammonia caramel
E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel
E151 Brilliant Black BN, Black PN
E153 Vegetable carbon
E154 Brown FK
E155 Brown HT
E160a Carotenes: (i) Mixed carotenes (ii) Beta-carotene
E160b Annatto, bixin, norbixin
E160c Paprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubin
E160d Lycopene
E160e Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30)
E160f Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30)
E161b Lutein
E161g Canthaxanthin
E162 Beetroot Red, betanin
E163 Anthocyanins
E170 Calcium carbonates
E171 Titanium dioxide
E172 Iron oxides and hydroxides
E173 Aluminium
E174 Silver
E175 Gold
E180 Latolrubine BK
E200 Sorbic acid
E202 Potassium sorbate
E203 Calcium sorbate
E210 Benzoic acid
E211 Sodium benzoate
E212 Potassium benzoate
E213 Calcium benzoate
E214 Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate
E215 Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate
E216 Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate
E217 Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate
E218 Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
E219 Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
E220 Sulphur dioxide
E221 Sodium sulphite
E222 Sodium hydrogen sulphite
E223 Sodium metabisulphite
E224 Potassium metabisulphite
E226 Calcium sulphite
E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite
E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite
E230 Biphenyl, diphenyl
E231 Orthophenyl phenol
E232 Sodium orthophenyl phenol
[E233 Thiabendazole] - Item deleted by Directive 98/72/EC
E234 Nisin
E235 Natamycin
E239 Hexamethylene tetramine
E242 Dimethyl dicarbonate
E249 Potassium nitrite
E250 Sodium nitrite
E251 Sodium nitrate
E252 Potassium nitrate
E260 Acetic acid
E261 Potassium acetate
E262 Sodium acetates (i) Sodium acetate (ii) Sodium hydrogen acetate (sodium diacetate)
E263 Calcium acetate
E270 Lactic acid
E280 Propionic acid
E281 Sodium propionate
E282 Calcium propionate
E283 Potassium propionate
E284 Boric acid
E285 Sodium tetraborate (borax)
E290 Carbon dioxide
E296 Malic acid
E297 Fumaric acid
E300 Ascorbic acid
E301 Sodium ascorbate
E302 Calcium ascorbate
E304 Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid (i) Ascorbyl palmitate (ii) Ascorbyl stearate
E306 Tocopherol-rich extract
E307 Alpha-tocopherol
E308 Gamma-tocopherol
E309 Delta-tocopherol
E310 Propyl gallate
E311 Octyl gallate
E312 Dodecyl gallate
E315 Erythorbic acid
E316 Sodium erythorbate
E320 Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
E322 Lecithins
E325 Sodium lactate
E326 Potassium lactate
E327 Calcium lactate
E330 Citric acid
E331 Sodium citrates (i) Monosodium citrate (ii) Disodium citrate (iii) Trisodium citrate
E332 Potassium citrates (i) Monopotassium citrate (ii) Tripotassium citrate
E333 Calcium citrates (i) Monocalcium citrate (ii) Dicalcium citrate (iii) Tricalcium citrate
E334 Tartaric acid (L(+)-)
E335 Sodium tartrates (i) Monosodium tartrate (ii) Disodium tartrate
E336 Potassium tartrates (i) Monopotassium tartrate (ii) Dipotassium tartrate
E337 Sodium potassium tartrate
E338 Phosphoric acid
E339 Sodium phosphates (i) Monosodium phosphate (ii) Disodium phosphate (iii) Trisodium phosphate
E340 Potassium phosphates (i) Monopotassium phosphate (ii) Dipotassium phosphate (iii) Tripotassium phosphate
E341 Calcium phosphates (i) Monocalcium phosphate (ii) Dicalcium phosphate (iii) Tricalcium phosphate
E343 Magnesium phosphates (i) monomagnesium phosphate (ii) Dimagnesium phosphate [Under discussion and may be included in a future amendment to the Directive on miscellaneous additives]
E350 Sodium malates (i) Sodium malate (ii) Sodium hydrogen malate
E351 Potassium malate
E352 Calcium malates (i) Calcium malate (ii) Calcium hydrogen malate
E353 Metatartaric acid
E354 Calcium tartrate
E355 Adipic acid
E356 Sodium adipate
E357 Potassium adipate
E363 Succinic acid
E380 Triammonium citrate
E385 Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (Calcium disodium EDTA)
E400 Alginic acid
E401 Sodium alginate
E402 Potassium alginate
E403 Ammonium alginate
E404 Calcium alginate
E405 Propan-1,2-diol alginate
E406 Agar
E407 Carrageenan
E407a Processed eucheuma seaweed [Added in December 1996 by Directive 96/83/EC]
E410 Locust bean gum
E412 Guar gum
E413 Tragacanth
E414 Acacia gum (gum arabic)
E415 Xanthan gum
E416 Karaya gum
E417 Tara gum
E418 Gellan gum
E420 Sorbitol (i) Sorbitol (ii) Sorbitol syrup
E421 Mannitol
E422 Glycerol
E425 Konjac (i) Konjac gum (ii) Konjac glucomannane [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E426 Soybean hemicellulose [Listed in proposed amendment in COM(2004)650 published October 2004]
E431 Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate
E432 Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20)
E433 Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80)
E434 Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40)
E435 Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60)
E436 Polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65)
E440 Pectins (i) pectin (ii) amidated pectin
E442 Ammonium phosphatides
E444 Sucrose acetate isobutyrate
E445 Glycerol esters of wood rosins
E450 Diphosphates (i) Disodium diphosphate (ii) Trisodium diphosphate(iii) Tetrasodium diphosphate (iv) Dipotassium diphosphate (v) Tetrapotassium diphosphate (vi) Dicalcium diphosphate (vii) Calcium dihydrogen diphosphate
E451 Triphosphates (i) Pentasodium triphosphate (ii) Pentapotassium triphosphate
E452 Polyphosphates (i) Sodium polyphosphates (ii) Potassium polyphosphates (iii) Sodium calcium polyphosphate (iv) Calcium polyphophates
E459 Beta-cyclodextrine [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E460 Cellulose (i) Microcrystalline cellulose (ii) Powdered cellulose
E461 Methyl cellulose
E462 Ethyl cellulose [Listed in proposed amendment in COM(2004)650 published October 2004]
E463 Hydroxypropyl cellulose
E464 Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose
E465 Ethyl methyl cellulose
E466 Carboxy methyl cellulose, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose
E467 Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose [Number had been allocated in a proposed amendment to Directive 95/2 circulated in August 1999. However, it was not accepted and further evaluation was requested]
E468 Crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E469 Enzymically hydrolysed carboxy methyl cellulose [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E470a Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids
E470b Magnesium salts of fatty acids
E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E472a Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E472b Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E472c Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E472d Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E472e Mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E472f Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E473 Sucrose esters of fatty acids
E474 Sucroglycerides
E475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids
E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate
E477 Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids
E479b Thermally oxidized soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
E482 Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
E483 Stearyl tartrate
E491 Sorbitan monostearate
E492 Sorbitan tristearate
E493 Sorbitan monolaurate
E494 Sorbitan monooleate
E495 Sorbitan monopalmitate
E500 Sodium carbonates (i) Sodium carbonate (ii) Sodium hydrogen carbonate (iii) Sodium sesquicarbonate
E501 Potassium carbonates (i) Potassium carbonate (ii) Potassium hydrogen carbonate
E503 Ammonium carbonates (i) Ammonium carbonate (ii) Ammonium hydrogen carbonate
E504 Magnesium carbonates (i) Magnesium carbonate (ii) Magnesium hydroxide carbonate (syn. Magnesium hydrogen carbonate)
E507 Hydrochloric acid
E508 Potassium chloride
E509 Calcium chloride
E511 Magnesium chloride
E512 Stannous chloride
E513 Sulphuric acid
E514 Sodium sulphates (i) Sodium sulphate (ii) Sodium hydrogen sulphate
E515 Potassium sulphates (i) Potassium sulphate (ii) Potassium hydrogen sulphate
E516 Calcium sulphate
E517 Ammonium sulphate
E520 Aluminium sulphate
E521 Aluminium sodium sulphate
E522 Aluminium potassium sulphate
E523 Aluminium ammonium sulphate
E524 Sodium hydroxide
E525 Potassium hydroxide
E526 Calcium hydroxide
E527 Ammonium hydroxide
E528 Magnesium hydroxide
E529 Calcium oxide
E530 Magnesium oxide
E535 Sodium ferrocyanide
E536 Potassium ferrocyanide
E538 Calcium ferrocyanide
E541 Sodium aluminium phosphate, acidic
E551 Silicon dioxide
E552 Calcium silicate
E553a (i) Magnesium silicate (ii) Magnesium trisilicate
E553b Talc
E554 Sodium aluminium silicate
E555 Potassium aluminium silicate
E556 Calcium aluminium silicate
E558 Bentonite
E559 Aluminium silicate (Kaolin)
E570 Fatty acids
E574 Gluconic acid
E575 Glucono-delta-lactone
E576 Sodium gluconate
E577 Potassium gluconate
E578 Calcium gluconate
E579 Ferrous gluconate
E585 Ferrous lactate
E586 4-hexylresorcinol [Listed in proposed amendment in COM(2004)650 published October 2004]
E620 Glutamic acid
E621 Monosodium glutamate
E622 Monopotassium glutamate
E623 Calcium diglutamate
E624 Monoammonium glutamate
E625 Magnesium diglutamate
E626 Guanylic acid
E627 Disodium guanylate
E628 Dipotassium guanylate
E629 Calcium guanylate
E630 Inosinic acid
E631 Disodium inosinate
E632 Dipotassium inosinate
E633 Calcium inosinate
E634 Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides
E635 Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides
E640 Glycine and its sodium salt
E650 Zinc acetate [Added in February 2001 by Directive 2001/5/EC]
E900 Dimethyl polysiloxane
E901 Beeswax, white and yellow
E902 Candelillla wax
E903 Carnauba wax
E904 Shellac
E905 Microcrystalline wax [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E907 Hydrogenated poly-1-decene [Added in December 2003 by Directive 2003/114/EC]
E912 Montanic acid esters
E914 Oxidized polyethylene wax
E920 L-Cysteine [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E927b Carbamide
E938 Argon
E939 Helium
E941 Nitrogen
E942 Nitrous oxide
E943a Butane [Added in February 2001 by Directive 2001/5/EC]
E943b Isobutane [Added in February 2001 by Directive 2001/5/EC]
E944 Propane [Added in February 2001 by Directive 2001/5/EC]
E948 Oxygen
E949 Hydrogen [Added in February 2001 by Directive 2001/5/EC]
E950 Acesulfame K
E951 Aspartame
E952 Cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca salts
E953 Isomalt
E954 Saccharin and its Na, K and Ca salts
E955 Sucralose [Added in December 2003 by Directive 2003/115]
E957 Thaumatin
E959 NeohesperidineDC
E962 Salt of aspartame - acesulfame [Additive proposed for addition in proposal published July 2002 (COM(2002)375)]
E965 Maltitol (i) Maltitol (ii) Maltitol syrup
E966 Lactitol
E967 Xylitol
E968 Erythritol [Listed in proposed amendment in COM(2004)650 published October 2004]
E999 Quilllaia extract
E1103 Invertase [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E1105 Lysozyme
E1200 Polydextrose
E1201 Polyvinylpyrrolidone
E1202 Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
E1404 Oxidized starch
E1410 Monostarch phosphate
E1412 Distarch phosphate
E1413 Phosphated distarch phosphate
E1414 Acetylated distarch phosphate
E1420 Acetylated starch
E1422 Acetylated distarch adipate
E1440 Hydroxy propyl starch
E1442 Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate
E1451 Acetylated oxidised starch [Added in October 1998 by Directive 98/72/EC]
E1450 Starch sodium octenyl succinate
E1505 Triethyl citrate
E1518 Glyceryl triacetate (triacetin)
E1520 Propan-1,2-diol (propylene glycol) [Added in February 2001 by Directive 2001/5/EC]
From The School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, UK
http://www.fst.rdg.ac.uk/foodlaw/additive.htm

This page was updated on 22 November 2005

http://mapage.noos.fr/dardelf/FoodAdditives.html