Alum
Alum is the inclusive term for several aluminum compounds, such as aluminum sulfate and aluminum potassium sulfate, aluminum sodium sulfate. They are used as food preservatives, buffers, neutralizing and firming agents, and other uses. Alum is used alone with EDTA to prevent discoloration of potatoes and to maintain firmness of shrimp packs. Alum is also used in pickles to maintain firmness and crispness as well as in pickle relish.
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Guar Gum
Guar gum is a galactomannan, which is a polysaccharide composed of the sugars galactose and mannose. This common food additive comes from the Guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonobulus), which is similar to soy. This plant grows mainly in India and Pakstan, but also to a small extent in Texas and Oklahoma in the U.S. (nearly ceased due to low prices from India). It is used as a vegetable food and for livestock feed for thousands of years. The guar bean is also known as the cluster bean.
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Synthetic Versus Natural Food Colorings: Answers to Many Common Questions
There is a lot of confusion surrounding food color additives. Synthetic food dyes are a cause for grave concern for many consumers, and for good reason. After all, not only do we read articles telling us how dangerous these dyes may be (carcinogenic, mutagenic), we see some of them being banned from use in the United States and abroad. Why are colorants used in food at all, and why not use natural colors? A good question, and there are many more questions, and misconceptions, concerning the use of added coloring in food. This article aims to clear up some of the confusion, with a detailed list. Let's start with some basic questions.
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