What is in your food and why?

This Chemsumer Report website will explore the chemistry behind all those strange and mysterious chemicals at the end of the ingredient list in most popular foods today. What are they? Where do they come from? What properties do they have? What can the name tell us about the characteristics of the chemical? What is their purpose in the food? Are there any side effects caused by the addition of these chemicals?

The big question: If I see this chemical in my food, should I eat it? Or should I put it back on the shelf and walk away?