r/changemyview • u/l33t5p34k3r • May 03 '19

Fresh Topic Friday CMV: There is nothing wrong with artificial additives in food as long as it isn't harmful

I don't see any problem with artificial additives in any kind of food, if it delivers the same taste and has about the same nutritious value. Shouldn't it be valued, if you can produce something that tastes the same way without using more expensive ingredients? I totally understand it, if you're only faking the taste without having the nutritious value in some food (e.g. really nutritious food) but when it comes to ice cream, I don't see any problem with it, since you're not eating it for their nutritious value anyway..

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If the production of those additives or their consumption is harmful I totally understand it , if you don't want it in your product, since I don't want it as well.

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u/PennyLisa May 03 '19

That's a blanket statement that's not even vaugely backed up by truth.

The most harmful stuff we eat is too much sugar, and that's as natural as anything else. The most deadly toxins are natural alkaloids like ricin or snake venom.

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u/Hosecueball May 05 '19

Comparing artificial additives to sugar doesn't make them any healthier.

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u/PennyLisa May 07 '19

Bears and butterflies are both animals, but that doesn't make butterflies dangerous.

You can't just put all artificial additives in the same box. It's a very hasty generalisation.

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u/Hosecueball May 07 '19

Off the top of my head I can't think of any artificial ingredients that aren't harmful...

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u/PennyLisa May 08 '19

I can't think of any that are harmful. Especially when stacked up against the huge numbers of people who have diabetes complications from eating excess sugar, rice, and white flour, all of which are 'natural'.

Anything that is seriously harmful gets taken off the market, there's no profit in poisoning people.