Food and beverage additives play a major role in the diet of most Americans, but what many people don't know is that these additives can affect the health of unborn children.

What are additives? Anne Keller, director of nutrition education for Wildwood Child and Adult Care Food Program, Inc. in Denver, Colo., says that additives are ingredients added to food or beverages to preserve (citric acid), add flavor (fructose), emulsify and stabilize (pectin), dye (caramel), improve nutritional value (vitamins A and D) and improve texture (yeast). "Some are OK, and some should be avoided," she says.

Some additives, like folic acid, are good for pregnancy. "Ideally, pregnant women should consume green leafy vegetables to increase their folic acid," says Dr. Rodney Lamb of Castle Rock, Colo. But when women need more than what they are getting in their diet, additives such as folic acid are essential, because good nutrition is important for a developing fetus, says Dr. Jeremiah Bartley, an OB/GYN in Brighton, Colo.

In 1959, the FDA released its first "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) list of additives. Some who trust the GRAS list point to scientific studies and FDA approval to demonstrate that these additives have no adverse effect on pregnant women.

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