Food Additives and Health Problems
Food additives are generally manufactured substances that are added to
food for a variety of reasons. The main ones are colours, preservatives,
antioxidants, emulsifiers, flavourings and stabilisers. They would not
be there
if you cooked the food yourself and are often a hidden cause of health
problems in many people.
As it is extremely difficult to test for an intolerance to any single additive I strongly recommend that as many as possible are removed from the diet before testing for food intolerance. A full explanation of the reasons and guidance on how to do this can be found in Change Your Diet and Change Your Life.
Full information on additives can be found in various books including E for Additives by Maurice Hanssen. Details on some of the potential problems are given below.
E100 Curcumin
This is an orange-yellow colour, derived from the root of the curcuma (turmeric) plant, but can also be artificially produced. It is widely used in processed foods such as cheese, margarine, baked sweets, breadcrumbs, snack seasonings. It is often heralded as a "natural" colour with the implication of safety. For anyone with a Salicylate sensitivity Curcumin is a potential hazard as turmeric is very high in Salicylate.
E102 Tartrazine (C.I. 19140: FD and C Yellow 5)
Tartrazine is a an azo dye used to provide a yellow colour to a variety of foods including drinks, puddings, soups and sweets. It is one of a number of azo dyes that has been implicated in health problems. Those that have been noted in respect of Tartrazine include hyperactivity, itching, blurred vision, sleep problems, urticaria and migraines. It has also caused problems for some asthmatics and aspirin sensitive people. Full details can found in Tartrazine.
E120 Cochineal
(Carmine of cochineal, Carminic acid, C.I.75470, Natural Red 4.)
Cochineal is a colour additive that is extracted from the scales of dried insects (dactilopius coccus(Dactilopiidae)). It is used to give foods, drinks, cosmetics, and fibres red, orange, pink, and purple colours. It is often listed as a 'natural additive'. It is used in two different forms - Amonium Carmine and Calcium Carmine.
Labelling varies in different countries. In the US, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), petitioned the FDA to either revoke approval of carmine colourings or require that they be clearly labelled by name.
It has been linked with hyperactivity, skin rashes and anaphylaxis.
E122 Carmoisine (Azorubine; C.I.14720)
This a synthetic azo dye that gives a red colour used especially for foods that are heat-treated after fermentation. It has been found to cause adverse reactions in some people especially those sensitive to aspirin (salicylate) and asthmatics. Reactions include swelling, skin problems, hyperactivity and breathing difficulties.
Banned for use in Japan, Norway, Sweden, and the USA.
Characteristics include some arsenic, lead mercury and cadmium.
E173 Aluminium
This a powdered form of aluminium which provides a metallic colour for cake, candy and sweet decorations. It is not permitted in some countries including Australia. The effects are not fully known.Some people believe that there is a strong link between too much aluminium and certain health conditions including Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Others dispute this quite strongly. My own view is that, until more is known, the safest option is to limit aluminium intake.
The effects are unlikely to be known as allergies but conceivably could be classed as a type of intolerance as the key factor appears to be the speed at which the body can eliminate aluminium
E239 Hexamine
(Hexamethylenetetramine)
The substance decomposes on heating or on burning producing
formaldehyde, ammonia, carbon oxides, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen
oxides. The solution in water is a weak base. Reacts with strong acids
producing formaldehyde. Attacks aluminium and zinc.
Prolonged use can lead to gastrointestinal upsets. Other adverse effects that have been noted include urinary system problems and skin rashes. Serious over exposure can lead to the central nervous system being effected.
This additive is not permitted in Australia
E249-E252 Nitrates
Nitrates and nitrites also often cause problems leading to stomach upsets and bloating. They have also been linked with cancer. Most processed meat contains added nitrates. The additives you would need to watch out for are:
E249 Potassium nitrite
E250 Sodium nitrite
E251 Sodium nitrate
E252 Potassium nitrate
E282 Calcium Propionate
This little number is commercially usually prepared from propionic acid. It's used as a mould inhibitor in bread.
It has been sometimes linked with migraines and has provoked skin rashes in bakery workers.
It has also been linked with hyperactivity.
E320 Butylated hydroxyanisole(BHA)and E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Both of these are used are antioxidants used to delay or prevent rancidity in foods. They are commonly used in foods containing oils and fats. Neither are any longer allowed in baby food and both have been linked with hyperactivity in children. Other problems have included digestive upsets, behaviour problems and skin rashes. At high levels there are risks of poisoning and some studies have suggested that BHA is carcinogenic.
Do we need BHA or BHT?
Vitamin E seems to work just as well and you might want to check your
vegetable oil to see whether it contains Vitamin E or BHA and BHT.
E325 Sodium Lactate
Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid (E270).
It is most frequently used to prevent food from drying out and so becoming hard and unpleasant to eat. Sometimes substituted for glycerol and found in a range of goods including jams, jellies, sweets, biscuits, margarine and ice cream.It could cause problems for anyone who is lactose intolerant.
627 Guanosine 5'-(diSodium phosphate)
Sodium guanylate.
This sodium salt is prepared synthetically for commercial use as a
flavour enhancer.
It is generally banned in foods intended for babies. Anyone needing to
follow a diet low in purines (for example, if you have gout) is
recommended to avoid this additive.
Further information on amines can be found in Change Your Diet and Change Your Life.