Dangerous food additives: what should everyone know?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
One of the most dangerous are the additives of the group E.
Today, in the richest product market, manufacturers offer consumers a huge range of food products. But do we know that for attractive packages we are waiting for a product that poses a great danger to our health?
As usual, we begin to adopt the proven experience of the West and buy products for at least a week. To satisfy our needs, the manufacturer is forced to provide us with a product with good taste, with a sufficient shelf life and, of course, with an appetizing look. In order to sell the product in conditions of increasing competition, the manufacturer is going to the tricks, using often harmful to us chemical additives.
One of the most dangerous are the additions of group E. The index "E", meaning "Europe", was adopted more than fifty years ago by the European system of labeling food additives.
So, for example, once on one of the sites there was a note in which it was said that in Russia a food supplement with the code E128 is banned. Studies of European scientists have shown that it is carcinogenic and dangerous for the young generation. The dye E128 was added to sausage products. Earlier, E217 and E216 supplements were banned.
But, unfortunately, today there are a lot of these supplements. We use them daily, starting from those in dairy products, and ending with those in chips and sausages. All this is eaten by our children.
Let's highlight the main groups of food additives:
- E 1 .. - dyes. Enhance the color of the product. Among the forbidden dyes: Е121, Е123, Е128.
- E 2 .. - preservatives. Increase the shelf life of products, i.e. Suppress the growth of microorganisms, fungi. Forbidden are formaldehydes E240 and E220.
- E 3 ... - antioxidants. Slow down the process of oxidation, and therefore also prevent damage to the product.
- E 4 .. - stabilizers. Preserve the consistency of the product (gelatin, starch).
- Е 5 .. - emulsifiers, helping to preserve the structure of the product. For example, lecithin, which is part of any chocolate bar.
- E 6 .. - enhancers of taste and smell, with time without them food begins to seem tasteless.
Based on the materials of the Center for Independent Environmental Expertise "CEDAR", the following symbols for the harmful effect exist:
- P - cancerous
- ABOUT! - dangerous
- OO !! - very dangerous
- (3) - prohibited
- RK - causes intestinal disorders
- RD - violates blood pressure
- C - rash
- RJ - causes indigestion
- X - cholesterol
- VC - harmful to the skin
And if the letter E is marked with such a sign - *, for example, E121 *, Е153 **, Е155 **, Е174 **, Е173 **, the substance is included in the list of food additives prohibited for use in the food industry.
Such E-cells are carcinogens, can cause nausea, allergic reactions and are banned in a number of countries. Well! Decide for yourself: be healthy or not be! If you still prefer to use "delicious and healthy" products from supermarkets, then I advise you to buy a magnifying glass and carefully examine the beautiful wrapper before you go to the cash register. Try to keep these questionable E as little as possible, especially if it's a child. But if you still want to be healthy, then use old grandmother's recipes. So, avoid ready-made semi-finished products and fast food. After all, the healthiest and most useful food is the one that is prepared with your own hands from natural products.
[1],