4 Sketchy Food Additives to Avoid

By Stephanie Eckelkamp, Prevention
Big Food is ditching risky ingredients: Kraft removed Yellow Nos. 5 and 6 from some of its mac and cheeses, and Gatorade got rid of brominated vegetable oil (here's a list of the 10 most improved foods that have kicked sketchy ingredients to the curb). But there's still a ways to go. We'd love to see more food folks quit the following chemicals.

Something else we'd like to see go away? Animal cruelty. Check your diet against the 8 Cruelest Foods You Eat.

Artificial food dyes Petroleum-based dyes such as Blue No. 2 and Yellow No. 5 are banned elsewhere for their potential roles in hyperactivity and cancer. Pick foods naturally colored by beets and turmeric; organics are a safe bet. (What's not a safe bet: these 19 foods that aren't food. Gross.)

Brominated vegetable oil BVO contains bromine--a compound found in flame retardants--and is linked to memory problems. It's used as an emulsifier in some sodas, sports drinks, and juices, so check ingredient lists.

More from Prevention: 10 Reasons To Stop Eating Red Meat

Caramel coloring
It's made by heating sugars, often with ammonia, and the state of California has labeled one of its compounds a carcinogen. Opt for natural brown dyes like annatto extract. (Or, you know, eliminate diet soda all together. Here are 7 points of inspiration for you.)

Butylated hydroxyanisole This petroleum-derived packaged-food preservative is a probable carcinogen. But some spices adequately replace BHA, so there may be hope for a preservative-free future.

More from Prevention: 12 Fish You Should Never, Ever Eat