What is an Artificial Ingredient, Anyway?

The term "artificial" refers to something produced to imitate nature. The term "artificial food" also creates images of edible food made from substances that do not occur naturally. No wholly artificial foods exist in the strict sense, but some foods are called artificial or seem artificial to some people. Viewing a food as artificial is most likely if it contains ingredients, such as colorings or flavorings, that are not inherent in the food. An example is artificial strawberry flavoring created in the laboratory to mimic the natural taste of fresh strawberries.

Foods may also be "artificial" for medical reasons or to suit personal beliefs. For example, artificial milk is created for infants born with a genetic disease called phenylketonuria (PKU). The artificial milk replicates the nutritional content of real milk but lacks a specific amino acid, phenylalanine, not tolerated by an infant with PKU.

This week, a look at artificial ingredients.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "A man should not leave this earth with unfinished business. He should live each day as if it was a pre-flight check. He should ask each morning, am I prepared to lift-off?" - Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, All is Vanity, 1991

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