If you need to study a controversial topic, look no further! Two quite polarized views can be identified. First, we have the massive great food conglomerates, backed by food organisations. Here you should find a common message such as ” Hang on, don’t panic, we need more evidence and more research…”.
Then there are the consumers of food, and the consumer organisations which take a view “There appears to be enough evidence, the additive should be removed now for the safety of all consumers “. As far as the consumers are concerned they adopt a precautionary principle, which in effect is a ‘better safe than sorry’approach. After all, waiting for further research to be completed could take ages. In the meantime, the health of consumers could continue to be affected, if the initial research is supported by further studies.
The food industry often take a different approach. There are reasons for additives, many of which are there to improve the flavour or make the taste more acceptable for consumers. You don’t need a Ph.D to work out that to sell more food, and gain more sales and profit, it is often necessary to make it more attractive and taste better!
So, food manufacturers with one eye on profit margins and sales, often try to delay removal of additives, since the alternative might make the food less attractive and palatable for consumers. Do they really have the best interests of consumers at heart? You decide!
What pressures can governments do to ensure that the consumer is protected? Are the government agencies completely independent, or are they servicing the food industry? Who is on the controlling panel of organisations You need to investigate further and decide for yourself.
Links to websites about additives in food
http://www.distanthealer.co.uk/enumbers.htm
http://www.feingold.org/effects.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2356163.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2352709.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/410913.stm