Role of Food Chemistry in Our Daily Life

Chemistry is a big part of our daily life. It plays a very important role in our life. We always owe a debt to chemist for their important contribution for giving us life saving drugs, synthetic fibers, synthetic detergents, variety of cosmetic, preservatives for our food, fertilizers pesticides, paper, glass etc. There is no aspect of our life that is not affect by the developments in chemistry. Many different things are in commercially prepared foods and there is a good deal of suspicion among some people about the safety of these foods. In 2007, the World Cancer Research Fund reported on all the research by a panel of experts on the links between food, nutrition and physical activity and cancer. This report noted there is little epidemiological (the affect on humans) evidence on the possible effects of things added to food and drinks. The report also noted that, because these things are monitored internationally and nationally regulated, there is a lot of information on their effects on animals. The report also noted food additives are monitored if any chemical present seems to be of special concern. Regulations, which limit how much of any additive that may cause harm, are generally based on the results of animal studies which make them very safe for humans to eat or drink. Experts do not consider general use of food additives to be a cancer risk; however, the nitrates and nitrites added to preserve meats can change into carcinogens in the stomach and have been linked to cancer of the stomach.