Which Food Additives Should You Really Avoid?

4. Gums:

Natural gums can be classified according to their origins. Some are made from seaweeds like agar and carrageenan. However, in the food industry, there are also synthetic or processed gums that are widely used in many ways and most of these have been combined with chemicals like formaldehyde which is linked to cancer.

• 407 (Carrageenan)
• 407A (Processed eucheuma seaweed)
• 466 (Sodium carboxymethylcellulose)

5. Flavour enhancer:

Most of us loved to eat our foods when the flavours are overpowering. The use of flavour enhancer like MSG (monosodium glutamate) is added to processed foods especially sausages, sauces, prepared meals, and condiments. In fact, we consume these taste enhancers almost everyday and most of the time in alarming amounts. It has been linked that this food additives can cause mild to severe allergic reactions, diabetes and again cancer.

• 621 (Monosodium L-glutamate MSG)
• 627 (Disodium 5\-guanylate)
• 631 (Disodium 5\’- inosinate)
• 635 (Disodium 5\’- ribonucleotides)
• 637 (Ethyl maltol)

6. Others:

Most of the foods we shop contained in packets or any containers have either natural or synthetic food additives. However, some of the listed ingredients we found in these foods may contain some “harmful” additives without mentioning them in the label. That is why, it is important for us to do research and learn the effects of these food additives on our health and being.

• 900 (Polydimethylsiloxane)
• 914 (oxidized polyethylene)
• 943 (a-butane, b-isobutane)
• 944 (propane)
• 950 (Acesulphame potassium)
• 951 (Aspartame)
• 952 (Calcium cyclamate, sodium cyclamate)
• 954 (saccharin or calcium/sodium/potassium saccharin)
• 955 (sucralose)
• 1201 (polyvinylpyrrolidone)
• 1520 (Propylene glycol)
• 521 (polyethylene glycol 8000)

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So, as early as possible, we must try to avoid such additives that may ruin our body.

It is really important to stay healthy and fit if you want to live a longer life and enjoy much of it.

Louise D’Allura, Home Economist @ http://www.MealPlanningYourWay.com, Additive Alert Community Talks Presenter (Queensland), Member of Home Economics Institute of Australia (HEIA)

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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