We all continuously hear so many warnings about cancer causing foods that the information can make your head spin. Except for obvious food allergies you might have, I do however feel that all natural food sources can do you no harm. Unfortunately today, very few of us live of naturals. Only if you grow your own, or strictly buy organic foods, do your chances look up. It truly is a pity that our convenient life style can also cause us harm.

Again, it is in most cases only when you get into direct contact with cancer in your life, that one seriously starts considering reading food labels. Although most governments ban the use of harmful chemicals in food, unfortunately all manufacturers don’t oblige. It now comes down to the consumers to, once again, do their homework. If you are suffering or recovering from cancer, recognising these harmful chemicals will definitely aid in your healing. I have done some research, and would love to share my findings with you. You will often read the word ‘carcinogenic’, which means CANCER CAUSING. Thus, if a substance is carcinogenic in laboratory mammals, it could most probably also cause cancer in humans!

SODIUM NITRATE This chemical is used as a preservative, found in packed meats like ham, hotdogs, bacon, sausages and pepperoni. Pizzas, pies, margarines, breakfast cereals, soups and breads may also contain it. Sodium nitrate has been banned in the US in the 1970’s, but still gets used globally. This chemical is in the class ‘nitrosa’, and is known to cause cancer in laboratory rats. Safe products must say ‘nitrite free’. My advice to you is to buy your meat from butchers, rather than supermarket chains.
POTASSIUM BROMATE (KBrO3) This is an oxidising agent used in the bread-making process. It is a carcinogen in animals, also nephrotoxic in all mammals (humans included). It causes tumours in the thyroid and kidneys of lab rats. Potassium bromate has been banned in several countries. This substance has been found more often in bread rolls and buns. If the label says ‘bromated flour’, please don’t buy it!
NITROFURAN
This is a veterinary chemical used in food-producing animals. It is believed to have the potential to cause cancer, although scientific evidence of this has not been proofed 100%. It does however have genotixicity properties, damaging the genetic materials in cells. Nitrofuran is still a chemical used in the antibiotic to treat acute urinary tract infections. Sometimes found in honey, some countries have banned this substance.
MALACHITE GREEN (MG)
A synthetic dye that could be found in certain foods. Its main purpose is for the use as an antifungal agent for diseased fish. It is carcinogenic in experimental animals, and not to be used for human consumption.
GENTIAN VIOLET and FLUOROQUINOLONES
Both substances’ main purpose is for the use of inhibiting bacterial and fungal growths on seafood. Gentian violet has proofed to be cancer causing in lab rats. Crystal violet (used for the medicinal preparation for gentian violet) has shown to cause an increase in bladder cancer. Fluoroquinolones causes antibiotic resistance in human pathogens.
HYDROGENATED OILS (Propyl Gallate, BHA and BHT)
Keeping vegetable oils from going rancid, these chemicals are hazardous. Also found in certain cereals, chewing gums, potato chips. Positively carcinogenic in lab rats.
SACCHARIN
The older artificial sweetener – causes bladder cancer in lab rats.
ASPARTINE
The artificial sweetener proven to cause brain tumours, lymphomas and leukaemia in lab rats.
CHLOROPROPANOLS (3-MCPD)
This chemical is mostly found in certain soy-and oyster sauces. It has also been found in salami and bacon. It is still unclear how this chemical is formed in consumer goods. It is believed that when glycerol reacts with chlorine, under acidic conditions, chloropropanols are formed. Also during the manufacturing of acid-hydrolysed vegetable protein – a flavouring ingredient, can chloropropanols develop. Chloropropanols have a huge tumour forming effect in lab rats.

The next time you go shopping, put your angry face and spectacles on. Read the labels, and make a note of which products to ban in your life!

A good read is ‘Grocery Warning’ by Mike Adams.
Sources – Wikipedia: Neurotoxicity