Heads up! The label you're reading has no BHT, no nitrates - must be pretty healthy, right? It is a good start, but there are many other ingredients commonly found in food that are known to cause cancer, but the FDA allows anyway. 

You probably already know that Nitrates form into a carcinogen. You might also know that BHT is like a plague in the U.S., but in England, you won't find it anywhere - it is banned.  Why?  Because BHT and BHA are toxic to the liver and kidneys! 

Steer clear of Acesulfame-K (Sunnette) and Saccharin (Sweet 'N Low) as well, both of these artificial sweeteners cause cancer in lab animals.  Not a good sign.

While we are on the subject of "artificial", artificial colors and FD&C colors are bad news as well.  You might remember the big deal over red dye a decade or two ago, but did you know that red #3 is still allowed even though it is a known carcinogen and causes genetic damage?  It is, however, banned from cosmetics - go figure.  Wait, that's not all - Green #3, Blue #1, Blue #2 and Yellow #6 cause allergic reactions and cancer to lab animals.  If you are sensitive to aspirin, don't ingest Yellow #5, it might cause an allergic reaction.  Best advice - keep it natural (but you already knew that).

Here is another - Potassium bromate.  Don't you always make sure your bread is "unbromated"?  Me neither, but I will from now on because it is banned in every country on this planet, except Japan and the good ol' USA, because it is a highly toxic carcinogen.  Look for it in baked goods, mouth washes, and toothpaste.

A related article cautions us against Olestra, Propyl gallate, and Carrageenan as well.  It may seem overwhelming to keep all of these names in your head when you are shopping.  I try to follow this rule - if I don't know what it is I don't eat it.