Food Additives and Food Colorings
Aspartame
No calorie artificial sweetener aspartame, which is sold under the brand name NutraSweet in the United States and is used in more than 6,000 products. Aspartame may change levels of chemicals in the brain that affect behavior. May also cause headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss and joint pain.
Benzoic Acid
A white, crystalline organic compound belonging to the family of carboxylic acids, widely used as a food preservative and in the manufacture of various cosmetics, dyes, plastics and insect repellents. It can cause temporary distress through gastrointestinal irritation.
Blue # 1
[Patent Blue] This blue dye is a derivative of coal-tar and it is used in bottled soft drinks, ice cream, ices, dry drink powders, candy, baked products, cereals, and puddings. It is also found in face powders, other cosmetics and hair colorings. This dye has been a suspect of many allergic reactions.
Blue # 2
[Indigo Carmine] This is a dark-blue powder which is a derivative of coal-tar. This dye is used in such food products as bottled soft drinks, bakery goods, cereals, candy, confections and dry drink powders. It is also employed in mint-flavored jelly and frozen desserts. It is recognized as a sensitizer in allergic patients.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)/ Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Butylated hyroxyanisole (BHA) and the related compound butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are phenolic compounds that are often added to foods to preserve fats. HA is generally used to keep fats from becoming rancid. BHA is found in butter, meats, cereals, chewing gum, baked goods, snack foods, dehydrated potatoes, and beer. It is also found in animal feed, food packaging, cosmetics, rubber products, and petroleum products. BHT also prevents oxidative rancidity of fats. It is used to preserve food odor, color and flavor. Many packaging materials incorporate BHT. It is also added directly to shortening, cereals, and other foods containing fats and oils.
Erythritol
A naturally-derived sugar substitute that looks and tastes very much like sugar, yet has almost no calories. Erythritol has not been found to affect blood sugar or insulin levels and has a zero glycemic index. In reasonable amounts, erythritol doesn’t cause digestive upset and diarrhea that other sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol are known to cause. Erythritol isn’t metabolized by oral bacteria, which means that it doesn’t contribute to tooth decay.
Green # 3
[Fast Green] This dye is used in foods, drug, and cosmetics (except in products which are used in the area around the eye). It is used in coloring in mint-flavored jelly, frozen desserts, gelatin desserts, candy, confections, baked goods and cereals. Green # 3 has been a suspect as a sensitizer in allergic patients.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavor enhancer in a variety of foods prepared at home, in restaurants and by food processors. Its use has become controversial in the past 30 years because of reports of adverse reactions in people who‘ve eaten foods that contain MSG. Research on the role of glutamate – a group of chemicals that includes MSG – in the nervous system also has raised questions about the chemical‘s safety.
Polysorbate 80
Commercially also known as Tween® 80, it is a nonionic detergent and emulsifier derived from polyoxylated sorbitol and oleic acid, which is often used in foods. Polysorbate 80 is often used in ice cream to prevent milk proteins from completely coating the fat droplets. This allows them to join together in chains and nets, to hold air in the mixture, and provide a firmer texture, holding its shape as the ice cream melts. Polysorbate 80 is also used in commercial pickle products.
Potassium Nitrite
Used as a food additive, also is used as a preservative in a manner similar to that of sodium nitrite. Potassium nitrite is a strong oxidizer and contact with skin or clothing, as well as inhalation and ingestion, should be avoided. Potassium nitrite is also used in the manufacturing of heat transfer salts.
Red # 1
[Crystal Ponceau] This dye is used in dyeing wool. It may be used in foods, drugs, and cosmetics; as a special note, it has been de-listed by the FDA from further production in foods, drugs or cosmetics.
Red # 40
[Allura Red] In the United States, Allura Red AC is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cosmetics, drugs and food. It is used in some tattoo inks and is used in many products, such as orange soda.
Saccharine
Saccharin is typically used as a sweetener in low calorie soft drinks, dietetic ice cream, and other low calorie foods. Saccharin is best known in the pink packet form of Sweet ‚N Low.
Sodium Sulfite
Used as a preservative to prevent dried fruit from discoloring, and for preserving meats. Also used for reducing chlorine levels in pools. It can cause a decrease in vitamin B1 or destruction of thiamine in the body and can cause asthmatic reactions.
Sorbic Acid
Its mineral salts, such as sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate and calcium sorbate, are antimicrobial agents often used as preservatives in food and drinks to prevent the growth of mold, yeast and fungi.
Sucralose
Sucralose is a calorie free sweetener which can be used in place of sugar. Sucralose is made by adding chlorine to the sugar molecule during the manufacturing process which alters the sugar molecule to create a calorie free sweetener. Sucralose can be found in more than 4,500 food and beverage products, such as candy, soft drinks and breakfast bars.
Yellow # 5
[Tartrazine] The most widely used color additives in foods (candy, desserts, cereals, soft drinks and dairy products), drugs and cosmetics. Tartrazine appears to cause the most allergic and intolerance reactions of all the azo dyes, particularly amongst those with an aspirin intolerance and asthmatics. Reactions can include anxiety, migraine, clinical depression, blurred vision, itching, rhinitis, urticaria, general weakness, palpitations and sleep disturbance.
Yellow # 6
[Sunset Yellow] It may be found in orange squash, orange jelly, marzipan, swiss roll, apricot jam, citrus marmalade, lemon curd, sweets, hot chocolate mix and packet soups, trifle mix, breadcrumbs and cheese sauce mix and soft drinks. It appears to cause allergic or intolerance reactions, particularly amongst those with aspirin intolerance. Other reactions can include gastric upset, diarrhea, vomiting, a rash similar to nettle rash and skin swelling.
Xylitol
A sugar alcohol sweetener used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute. It is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, corn husks, oats, and mushrooms. It is known to be "tooth friendly" and found in many chewing gums. Absorbed more slowly than sugar, it does not contribute to high blood sugar levels or the resulting hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin response. It also shows potential as a treatment for osteoporosis, ear and upper respiratory infections, Candida and infections.
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