Study Guide One: Food Label Chemistry

PART A: All answers must be hand-written, numbered and labelled on a piece of paper. Use your own knowledge, Web Resources and your textbook to answer the following questions:

1. Describe in your own words what is meant by "Chemicals".

2. Read these sample food labels . Investigate six chemicals named on food labels , Below. What are they? What is their function? Why are they in your food? Choose chemicals that are unfamiliar, so that you learn something new. Make a Table :

Food Label :

Part B : Weird Ingredients: Read the short description below. Use the web to find three products that contain cochineal. Make a list of foods that contain cochineal.

Cochineal and carmine are two red food colorings that are derived from bugs – the cochineal bug to be exact. Cochineal is produced by drying and pulverizing the whole body of the bug, while carmine is a derivative of cochineal powder. The bugs are usually killed by immersing them in boiling water – the amount of time they spent in the water determines the level of redness – whether it be a lighter orange color or a vivid red. 155,000 insects are needed to make two pounds of food dye.

Use the web to find three products that contain cochineal. Make a list.