Did you know that the “rounding rule” allows manufacturers to hide ingredients in your food if it’s less than 500 mg per serving size? There are also over 200 different words for sugar! These misleading practices could mean you’re consuming dangerous ingredients without knowing.

Incidental additives are ingredients that have a function that’s not related to texture, flavor, or a preservative. If these ingredients are less than 5% of the finished product, they don’t have to list it on the label.

Maltodextrin is a common incidental ingredient. It’s a carbohydrate that acts more like sugar in the body and has a glycemic index of 180 compared to table sugar, which is only 74.

Hexane is one of the most dangerous ingredients in food. Its residue is often found in products containing soy protein isolates, which are commonly added to bars, veggie burgers, and plant-based products. Hexane is a chemical solvent used to extract this protein from the soybean.

The CDC classifies hexane as a neurotoxin, and the EPA considers it hazardous air pollution. However, no regulatory body measures the amount of hexane in food.

Sugar-free products can often spike your blood sugar because of other hidden ingredients. Always check the ingredient list and pay attention to the following products and labels:

•No added sugar

•Sugar-free products with carbohydrates

•Sugar-free gum

•Corn syrup solids

•Sugar-free, non-dairy creamers

Iodine turns blue when combined with starch. Add a drop or two of iodine to a glass of water, and watch products with hidden starch turn blue or purple when you mix them in!