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Synthetic colours are used to colour food to make it look visually appealing. Synthetic colour is defined by Canadian regulations as any organic food colour, other than caramel, that is produced by chemical synthesis and that has no counterpart in nature. They do not offer nutritional value nor health benefits.

Synthetic colours that are approved in Canada, but are not used in no name^® Simple Check^TM products are:

• Allura Red

• Amaranth

• Brilliant Blue FCF

• Citrus Red No. 2

• Erythrosine

• Fast Green FCF

• Indigotine

• Ponceau SX

• Sunset Yellow FCF

• Tartrazine

Artificial flavours are exactly that — artificial flavours. That means they are not found in nature and are produced by complex chemical synthesis. Basically, artificial flavours are meant to imitate a similar taste and smell as natural products, except they do not come from a plant or animal. They are generally used to boost the taste in sweets, candy and other food products.

Monosodium Glutamate, also known as MSG, is the sodium salt of the non-essential amino acid glutamic acid. It is often used in processed foods to boost the flavours and reduce the need for salt. Naturally occurring free glutamates are present in tomatoes, grape juice, parmesan cheese, soya sauce, mushrooms, yeast extract, and hydrolyzed protein. MSG is not used in our no name^® Simple Check^TM products and we choose to use ingredients with naturally occurring free glutamates instead.

Hydrogenated oils are oils exposed to hydrogen during a process called hydrogenation, turning the oil from liquid to solid. The process of hydrogenation is used to make shelf-stable solid fats from vegetable-based oils to give it the same texture as animal fats.

Hydrogenated oils are used to replace more expensive ingredients, such as butter and lard, in commercial baked goods, pastries, crackers, and frozen pizza. Oils that are partially hydrogenated contain trans fats. As of September 2018, the use of partially hydrogenated oils in food products was banned in Canada. We have taken one step further by not adding partially hydrogenated nor fully hydrogenated oils to no name^® Simple Check^TM products.

Artificial sweeteners are used to replace sugar or sugar alcohols, while increasing sweetness and not adding calories to food or drinks. They are chemically synthesized substances and are not found in nature. Artificial sweeteners have evolved over time to meet the needs of diabetics, weight loss, and help fight dental decay. They are commonly used in products marked “sugar free”, such as carbonated soft drinks, fruit spreads, and yogurt.

Artificial sweeteners that are approved in Canada, but are not used in no name^® Simple Check^TM products are:

• Acesulfame-Potassium

• Advantame

• Aspartame

• Neotame

• Saccharin

• Sucralose

• Thaumatin

Sugar alcohols are sugar substitutes that have little calories. Unlike artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols can impact blood sugar. They are also found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, such as: apples, corn, pineapple, carrots, and prunes, and are commercially produced from sugar and starches. Sugar alcohols also mimic sucrose in both their flavour and function, providing sweetness in reduced-sugar products, like chewing gum.

Sugar Alcohols that are approved in Canada, but are not used in no name^® Simple Check^TM products are:

• Erythritol

• Isomalt

• Lactitol

• Maltitol

• Maltitol Syrup

• Mannitol

• Sorbitol

• Sorbitol Syrup

• Xylitol

• Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysates

Polydextrose is a food additive that is chemically synthesized from dextrose (glucose), sorbitol and citric/phosphoric acid. Polydextrose has few calories and helps replace higher calorie ingredients like fat, while adding texture and creaminess to a product. It is neutral in taste and is mainly added to baked goods, candy, sweets, frozen dairy desserts, and nutritionally-enhanced beverages.

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is a food additive created by combining bromine and vegetable oil, which is usually soybean or corn oil. Bromine is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust that is chemically extracted from salt water using chlorine and sulfuric acid. Citrus flavours, like orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit, that are used in carbonated soft drinks and non-carbonated sports drinks are oil based. Adding BVO to these flavours prevents an oily film from forming. In Canada, BVO is only allowed in citrus and spruce flavoured beverages.

Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is a synthetic chemical that is used as a bleaching agent in wheat flour and whole wheat flour to produce a product with consistent quality and colour. ADA is also used as a dough conditioner in commercial breads, which helps to reduce the mixing time, make the dough rise during baking, and produce a soft texture. The amount of ADA used in a food product must not go over the maximum level allowed.

Salt, sugar, vinegar and citrus juice are traditional ways to preserve food. However, with the growing demand for ready-made food, synthetic preservatives, including synthetic antioxidants, commonly replace natural preservatives as a cheaper and more reliable alternative.

Examples of synthetic antioxidants are Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), which preserve food and maintain freshness in processed foods. BHA, BHT and TBHQ are mainly added to food products to extend the shelf-life.