A processed-foods researcher and mom of 2 says there are 2 additives on labels she avoids at all costs

Elizabeth Dunford, a nutrition epidemiologist, studies the impact of food additives on health. She avoids two types of additives when she sees them on a food label. The first is synthetic dyes, which are used in many foods to give them a colorful appearance. The second is phosphate additives, which are found in up to 56% of packaged foods and can raise blood phosphate levels, potentially causing harm to bone and kidney health.

Dunford, a mom of two, tries to avoid products with these additives, focusing instead on foods with a low additive load. She emphasizes the importance of reading labels and making informed choices about everyday food and drink options.