How to choose food?

In honor of Food Safety Day, the Costless team has decided to prepare some important tips for you on how to choose the right food, which nutritional supplements to exclude, and what unpleasant “secrets” may be present in the food.

It is very important to remember and always adhere to a simple rule: before buying a product, it is imperative to check its composition and expiration date. Food safety is, above all, the ability to avoid the risks of poisoning and other health hazards for you and your loved ones.

Pay special attention to the presence of food additives in the composition of the product. The presence of certain additives puts food safety in doubt.

For example, there are 8 dangerous but allowed additives:

1. Sodium nitrite or E250
2. Used as an antioxidant. This allows meat products to maintain a delicious pink color.
3. In large quantities, sodium nitrite is toxic.
4. Sodium nitrate or E251
5. Used in the manufacture of sausages, canned food, and cheeses. This food supplement increases the shelf life of products and is responsible for the pleasant color of meat products.
6. When the product is heated, nitrosamines are formed - carcinogens hazardous to health.
7. Tartrazine or dye E102
8. It gives the product a yellow color, it is used in carbonated drinks, confectionery, and canned fruits. Tartrazine may cause an allergic reaction.
9. Sulfur dioxide or E220
10. Used in the manufacture of certain types of wines and dried fruits. It is an antioxidant that prevents the oxidation of products, preserves their presentation, and fights bacteria and fungi. Sulfur dioxide can be dangerous for asthmatics, causing an exacerbation of the disease.
11. Butylhydroxyanisole or E320
12. Used as an antioxidant and preservative. The substance may be carcinogenic.
13. Benzoic acid or E210 and sodium benzoate or E211
14. They are preservatives. Upon contact with ascorbic acid, benzene forms. Benzene is considered toxic and carcinogenic.
15. Sodium hydrosulfite or E222
16. It is used in winemaking to prevent oxidation of the drink and preserve its taste, as well as when preserving fruit. In high concentrations, sodium hydrosulfite can trigger allergic reactions and an asthma attack.
17. Diamond black BN or black dye E151
18. The additive can cause food allergies and asthma attacks. It is forbidden in the USA, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, and Finland.

We advise you to refuse to purchase products that contain at least one of the above additives.

Also, do not forget about sugar, which is contained in a large number of products, and the closer to the top of the list the ingredient is located, the higher its content. Sugar on the label can “hide” under more than 70 different names: sugar, sucrose, maltose, glucose, lactose, fructose, dextrose, mannose, isoglucose, levulose, powdered sugar, demerara, molasses, syrup, agave nectar, barley malt, honey, turbinado, and others.

What should not be in the composition of healthy products:

- Trans fats (margarine, deep-frying fat, hydrogenated fat, cooking oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, etc.)

- Monosodium glutamate or E621

- Saccharinate and cyclamate

- Sodium Benzonatate

- Phosphates

There is another simple but important rule: if the composition contains an ingredient that is unknown to you, you should not buy such a product.

Give preference to fresh foods, especially vegetables and fruits, limiting the consumption of canned foods, convenience foods, prepared pastry dishes, and drinks.

Take care of your health!

And for purchases, use the mobile application Costless, which will help you find the best price and location option for acquiring the necessary goods.