About 500 Bread Products Labeled ‘Healthy’ contain Dangerous Chemical-ADA

Nearly 500 food products in the U.S. that are labeled 'healthy' contain hazardous industrial chemicals, according to an analysis by the Environmental Working group (EWG).

Following the awareness campaign on food additives in Subway's sandwich bread by FoodBabe blogger, Vani Hari, experts from EWG assessed the prevalence of food additives and chemical ADA in a list of products.

Azodicarbonamide or ADA is used as a chemical foaming agent to manufacture plastic materials like yoga mats, bubble wraps and shoes that gives malleability and a spongy finish. Due its 'dough softening and conditioning' properties, the chemical is largely used in producing baked food products that make them puffier and tough to withstand long hours of storage and shipping.

According to the EWG Database of ingredients, nearly 500 food products like bread, stuffings, hotdogs buns, pizzas and pastries of 130 reputed brands contain ADA. These products are labeled and advertised as 'healthy'.

The Food and Drug Administration allows ADA of up to 45 parts per million in bread products, while reports from the World Health Organization warns of serious health implications like asthma, other respiratory problems and skin irritation among workers exposed to chemicals in large production volumes.

Although, its effects on humans are not yet identified the EWG urges the food manufacturers to stop its use and raises public awareness on its prevalence in industrial chemicals, supermarket items and fast foods. The European Union disapproves the usage of the chemical. It is also banned in Australia.   

David Andrews study author and senior scientist at the EWG said via press release , "ADA is just one example of an American food supply awash in chemical additives that can be mixed into foods with little oversight or safety review Americans have regularly eaten this chemical along with hundreds of other questionable food additives for years. That is why we are putting together an online database that will enable consumers to make more informed decisions about the foods they eat and feed to their family."

The health research and advocacy group's food database of more than 80,000 ingredients is a first of its kind that deeply examines the nutritional value and potential health hazards of processed and supermarket foods in the U.S.

The database aims to educate consumers giving product information and checking safety standards of food manufacturers to promote healthy living and shopping choices. The experts add in the report, "shoppers must read product labels to know for certain whether ADA and other chemical additives are in items they're contemplating buying."