Do you consider yourself a conscious eater? If not, this perhaps can motivate you to become one -- the latest study by The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that a chemical used to make yoga mats has been found in nearly 500 food items.

The compound azodicarbonamide (ADA) is typically used in bread products to bleach flour and make the dough stronger, while keeping it light and spongy. However, you must keep it in mind that the additive is also an ingredient of shoe rubber and attic insulation.

Furthermore, ADA features in food products made by at least 130 major American brands, including Pillsbury, White Castle, Sara Lee, Jimmy Dean, Country Hearth and Marie Callender's. Most of the azodicarbonamide-containing items are bread, pre-made sandwiches and salad croutons.  

EWG claims that the synthetic additive has not been a problem for the federal Food and Drug Administration because its low levels of 45 parts per million are not considered to be toxic. However, the recent research shows that when consumed in large amount, the chemical causes respiratory problems, such as asthma and skin sensitization.

It is also reported that when the chemical partially degrades with the heat of processing, it can form trace amounts of semicarbazide, which shows carcinogenicity and also has been shown to cause tumors.

In addition, Subway recently announced that the sandwich franchise was removing the ingredient ADA as part of an ongoing effort to promote healthy recipes in the U.S.

Check out the list of almost 500 food products that are major part of daily food intake here. 

So... What's for dinner tonight?