Are additives safe?
- The vast majority of additives and preservatives appear to be safe for most people. Laboratories throughout the world have tested them before they are used in foods. However some individuals may be “sensitive” to various additives and preservatives.
- In some individuals, these substances may result in bad reactions and may include: vomiting, skin rashes, hives, worsening of eczema, tight chest, headaches and many other symptoms, including anaphylaxis. History of foods and symptoms may give your doctor a strong clue as to the additive causing the reaction. There are blood tests available for most of the common additives.
- Some foods have natural chemicals that may exert an effect. Tuna fish that’s not fresh may have a high level of histamine. You may react to the naturally occurring histamines in wine and not to the sulphur dioxide that has been artificially added.
Preservatives
These chemicals have E numbers E200-200
Sulphites
Sulphites are numbered E 220-229 and include Sulphur dioxide, Sodium sulphite, Sodium Bisulphite, Sodium Metabisulphite, Potassium Bisulphite and Potassium Metabisulphite.
They cause lung irritation and may trigger asthma. Many people also complain of a scratching feeling at the back of their throats. They are commonly found in liquids in cold drinks and fruit juice concentrates, but also in wine and beer. They are also sprayed onto foods particularly fruit to prevent discolouration and browning. Sulphur dioxide is used to preserve smoked and processed meat, dried wors, dried fruit, pickles, and some sauces. In topical preparations sulphur can cause a contact allergy.
Benzoates
Benzoates are numbered E 210-219 and include Sodium Benzoate, Monosodium benzoate and potassium benzoate.
Benzoates have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties for the prevention of food spoilage. These agents are added to pharmaceutical and food products such as drinks like sugar free cold drinks and occur naturally in prunes, cinnamon, tea and berries. They may cause hives, wheezing or body swelling.
Flavour enhancers
These chemicals are numbered E600-699
Monosodium Glutamate
Eating foods with this additive can result in tight chests in asthmatics. This may occur immediately or 6-to 12 hours later.
“Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” causes headaches and a burning sensation along the back of the neck, tight chest, nausea, sweating and a sensation of facial pressure. “Pins and needles” or tingling may be felt in the limbs or face and head. It occurs approximately 20 minutes after a food containing MSG has been eaten and is more pronounced on an empty stomach.
MSG is commonly found in packet soups, 2 minute noodles crisps and most fast foods.
Colourants
These chemicals are numbered E100-199
Colourants may be natural or synthetic. The best known colourant is tartrazine (E 102). Tartrazine is an azo dye, which cross reacts with all of the azo dyes. Tartrazine is found in fruit juices, soft drinks, sweets, desserts, toppings, syrups, cooking oils, sauces and pickles.
Aspartame E 951
It is a white, odourless powder, approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is used as a food additive in drinks, desserts, sweets, dairy, chewing gums, and as a table-top sweetener. This low calorie sweetener can occasionally cause hives.