Tips on food additives to avoid

Did you know that more than 3,000 additives can be used in food processing to improve the safety, appearance, flavour and shelf life of foods? Some food additives are known to be dangerous for certain people. In order to know what you and your family are consuming, check labels carefully before you buy.

• A chemical sweetener widely used in diet soft drinks.
• Not safe for people suffering from phenylketonuria (PKU).
• May cause migraine headaches.

• Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative in margarine, pickles, preserves, jams, soft drinks and fruit juices.
• Benzoic acid is a common ingredient in flavourings such as chocolate added to beverages, sweets, baked goods and chewing gum.
• May cause adverse effects in sensitive people, especially hyperactive children.

• Petroleum-derived antioxidant used to prevent oils, fats, and fat-containing foods from becoming rancid.
• Sometimes added to food packaging materials.
• May cause adverse effects in sensitive people.
• Try to limit exposure for children.
• Suspected carcinogen.

• Petroleum-derived antioxidant used to prevent oils, fats, and fat-containing foods from becoming rancid.
• Sometimes added to food packaging materials.
• May cause adverse effects in sensitive people.
• Try to limit exposure for children.
• Suspected carcinogen.

• These add colour, provide uniform colour or restore original colour to a wide range of foods, although colourings are not permitted in meat, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables.
• Colourings may cause hyperactivity in sensitive children.
• Others cause a range of allergic reactions such as skin rashes and other more serious conditions such as breathing problems.

• Flavour enhancer known as the 'new MSG', it can be added to foods stating 'no MSG'.
• May cause adverse effects in sensitive people.

• Flavour enhancer used in many foods, including bottled Chinese sauces.
• Unsuitable for pregnant women, infants and children, for asthmatics and salicylate-sensitive people.
• May cause reactions such as nausea and headaches in sensitive individuals.

• Preservatives and curing agents commonly used in preserved and luncheon meats.
• May cause adverse effects in sensitive people, especially hyperactive children.

• Preservatives used to prevent dried fruit from desiccation and stiffening; also used to preserve frozen potatoes, and wine.
• May cause allergic reaction in sensitive people.

• Petroleum-derived antioxidant used in fast foods and baking sprays, and to spray food packaging to prevent colour change and rancidity.
• May cause adverse effects in sensitive people, especially hyperactive children.

When buying imported produce be aware that farmers in developing countries may use chemicals banned here.