Questions-Do the dangers of chemicals in food production and preservation outweigh the advantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.
Answer: Today, most foods sold in small stores and supermarkets contain chemicals to improve production and ensure the food lasts longer. However, there are concerns that these may have negative consequences. The risks associated with this, in my opinion, outweigh the benefits.
Chemicals are added to food for a variety of reasons. First, it is to improve the product\’s appearance, which is accomplished through colorings, which encourage people to purchase food that would otherwise not look appealing to eat. Another reason is to preserve the food. So much of the food we eat would not last that long if it were not for the chemicals they contain, so again this is an advantage to the companies that sell food as their products have a longer shelf life.
Therefore, this evidence shows that the main benefits are to the companies and not the customer. Although companies claim these food additives are safe and have research to support this, the study is possibly biased as it comes from their own companies or people with connections to these companies. It is common to read reports these days in the press about possible links to various health issues such as cancer. Food additives have also been linked to problems such as hyperactivity in children.
To conclude, although there are benefits to placing chemicals in food, I believe that these principally help the companies but could be a danger to the public. It is unlikely that this practice can be stopped, so food must be clearly labeled, and I hope that organic products will become more readily available at reasonable prices.
