An individual can live a “carefree” life without knowing the substances they are consuming, but that life will be short. People, especially parents, need to take responsibility and educate themselves about the ingredients they consume in their daily diet. Even though the FDA regulates the ingredients of consumable products and ensures that they are safe to consume, this should not prevent individuals from applying their own common knowledge/research, as a handful of additives/preservatives found in products American food products have shown, through studies, serious health risks. in humans; Many additives/preservatives are even banned in other countries, forcing those countries to use natural alternatives. Many food companies will use ambiguous labeling techniques to misinterpret consumers about what they are actually buying. Above all, individuals should under no circumstances read the front label of consumable products (advertising/marketing) and assume that this is credible information, as usually there are charismatic ingredients; many questioned by brilliant researchers. I assume the majority of Americans are familiar with artificial food coloring, found in many cereals (Fruity Pebbles), baked goods (cookies/cakes/frosting), candies, and sodas (fruit punch/Gatorade). Livestrong states: “Food colors, such as Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Yellow No. 6, and Red No. 3, are used in many food products, such as soda, bakery and sweets. The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that all four food dyes contain carcinogenic properties” (Vandermark, 2013). Additionally, Frobes states: "After a 2007 study at the University of Southampton, the six dyes known as the 'Southampton Six' were linked to hyperactivity of the chi...... middle of paper. ..... 2014, from http://www.cspinet.org/fooddyes/Hennessey, R. (August 27, 2012). Living in color: the potential dangers of artificial colors. Forbes. Accessed March 12, 2014, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelhennessey/2012/08/27/living-in-color-the-potential-dangers-of-artificial-dyes/Nutri-Grain, Fake La color and why do American children deserve less than Europeans?. (nd). Fooducate. Accessed March 13, 2014, from http://blog.fooducate.com/2010/12/02/nutri-grain-fake-color-and-why-do-american-kids-deserve-less-than-europeans/THE ALTERNATIVE NATURAL – antimicrobial compounds derived from nature as an alternative to synthetic preservatives found in foods. (nd). Monitoring food safety. Accessed March 13, 2014, from http://www.foodsafetywatch.org/features/the-natural-alternative-antimicrobial-compounds-derived-from-nature-as-an-alternative-to-synthetic-preservatives-in-food/