It was a lot of fun today  walking around with the participants today in our kids class. We had a lot of fun decoding food labels, especially treats like motts fruit snacks (i think the parents did more than the kids. For those that were unable to make the class here is a sheet that can help you decode food labels, especially ingredients. If you can try to make to our next class in February 25th at 10am Poughkeepsie Galleria Community Room. For more information please contact our poughkeepsie and fishkill locations.
 
Common preservatives found on product label: ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite, calcium sorbate, potassium sorbate, BHA, BHT, EDTA, tocopherols (Vitamin E)
 
Common sweeteners: Sucrose (sugar), glucose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame-K), neotame
 
Flavor Enhancers: Monosodium glutamate (MSG), hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract, disodium guanylate or inosinate
 
Flavor and Spices: Natural flavoring, artificial flavor, and spices
 
Fat Replacers: Olestra, cellulose gel, carrageenan, polydextrose, modified food starch, microparticulated egg white protein, guar gum, xanthan gum, whey protein concentrate
 
Color Additives: FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40, FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, Orange B, citrus Red No.2, annatto extract, beta carotene, grape skin extract, cochineal extract or carmine, paprika oleoresin, caramel color, fruit and vegetable juices, saffron
 
Stabilizers and Thickeners, binders, texturizers: gelatin, pectin, guar gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum, whey
 
Leavening Agents: Baking soda, monocalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate
 
Yeast Nutrients: Calcium sulfate, ammonium phosphate
 
Dough Strengtheners and Conditioners: Ammonium sulfate, azodicarbonamide, L-cysteine
 
Firming Agents: Calcium chloride, calcium lactate
 
Humectants (they retain moisture): glycerine, sorbitol
 
pH Control Agents and Acidulants: lactic acid, citric acid, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate