What Chemicals Might Be Found in Canned Food?

Canned food is subject to a variety of chemical treatments in order to extend its shelf life while still preserving its flavor and texture. While the chemicals used in canning are generally considered safe, it’s important to know what chemicals might be found in canned foods, so that you can make an informed decision about what you eat.

Preservatives are one of the most common chemicals used in canned foods. These help prevent spoilage and food-borne illnesses by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.

The most common preservatives used include sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, calcium propionate, and sodium nitrite. All of these preservatives are FDA approved as safe for consumption.

Acids are added to canned foods to lower the pH level and create a hostile environment for bacteria growth. The most commonly used acids are citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, and lactic acid. All of these acids have been shown to be safe for consumption when used at appropriate levels.

Flavor Enhancers are often added to canned foods to enhance the flavor or make up for lost flavor due to processing or storage. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium inosinate/disodium guanylate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), and autolyzed yeast extract (AYE) are all common additives that can be found in canned foods. All of these have been deemed safe for consumption by the FDA when used at appropriate levels.

Colorings, such as carotenoids and anthocyanins, may also be added to canned foods in order to improve their appeal or make them look more natural. All colorings must receive FDA approval before they can be used in food products; however, it’s still important to be aware of what colorings may be present in your canned food so that you can make sure they’re not causing any adverse reactions or health issues.

Emulsifiers, such as lecithin, polysorbates, polyglycerols, mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids are sometimes added as stabilizers or thickeners in order to improve texture or keep ingredients from separating out during storage or cooking processes. While all emulsifiers must receive FDA approval before being used in food products, some may contain trace amounts of trans fats which could potentially pose health risks if consumed over a long period of time.

In conclusion, there is a variety of chemicals that may be found in canned foods due to their use as preservatives and flavor enhancers as well as for colorings and emulsifiers for texture improvement purposes. It is important that consumers take the time to research what chemicals might be present in their canned food so that they can make an informed decision about what they eat.