cover image Unsafe at Any Meal

Unsafe at Any Meal

Earl Mindell. Warner Books, $16.45 (238pp) ISBN 978-0-446-51235-0

This guide clearly identifies specific ""foods, additives, and environmental pollutants'' that are potentially hazardous to our health and quality of living. Fresh and informative information is presented in a well-organized, easy-to-read format, complete with charts, safety tips, warnings and answers to frequently asked questions regarding nutrition and diet. Mindell discusses package labeling, food poisoning and the dangers of additives, sugar, salt and alcohol. Even more helpful are charts describing vitamins used as additives, recommended caloric intake and the nutritional lowdown on popular fast foods. Mindell, a pharmacist and nutritionist, cautions readers to seek medical advice ``before making any changes in your current diet or starting any supplement program.'' Although he suggests some alternative foods and offers a very few of his own recipes as nutritional substitutes, his rather extreme accounts of the harmful additives and preservatives existing in foods typically consumed may suppress some appetites. (April 16)