How could a pickled cucumber be so bad? Unfortunately, many brands add yellow coloring to their pickles, as well as a bunch of other concerning ingredients, such as Polysorbate 80. Polysorbate 80 is a common emulsifier found in a number of pickle jars. It is also used to make diet ice cream and has been linked to cancer in mice. We know that's not the same as humans, but we'd still probably say "no thanks" to things like that!
Another questionable ingredient is sodium benzoate, which has been shown to cause cell damage. Fortunately for pickle addicts, there is a very good solution that doesn't feel like a compromise. Simply make sure you're purchasing organic pickles without these harmful ingredients on the label. You might have to spend a little more time searching for them, but they're out there.