Feeding our kids nowadays has so many challenges: food specifically marketed towards children is mostly over processed, laced with numerous, potentially dangerous and unnecessary food additives and has little nutritional value.
Food additives are divided into categories and assigned a number for easier identification. Not all food additives are made same: some are natural and ok to use, others, however whether natural or artificial are unsafe for consumption, and have been banned in different countries. I have divided food additives into two groups: green - ok to consume and red – avoid if possible. The additives in green are either natural, regarded as safe for use or derived from natural ingredients. The additives in red have either been proven as unsafe, connected with health or behavioral problems, have not enough information about them or have been added recently to the approved list. My motto here is: if there is a question mark – it’s red.
The black numbers are the worst offenders. They are either banned in Australia or in other countries, or are suspected carcinogens! Just few of them are:
Food additives are divided into categories and assigned a number for easier identification. Not all food additives are made same: some are natural and ok to use, others, however whether natural or artificial are unsafe for consumption, and have been banned in different countries. I have divided food additives into two groups: green - ok to consume and red – avoid if possible. The additives in green are either natural, regarded as safe for use or derived from natural ingredients. The additives in red have either been proven as unsafe, connected with health or behavioral problems, have not enough information about them or have been added recently to the approved list. My motto here is: if there is a question mark – it’s red.
The black numbers are the worst offenders. They are either banned in Australia or in other countries, or are suspected carcinogens! Just few of them are:
- 102 Tartrazine - Colour. Linked to hyperactivity, skin rashes, migraines, behavioural problemss, thyroid problems, chromosome damage. Used to colour drinks, sweets, jams, cereals, snack foods, canned fish, packaged soups and a dye for wool and silk. Banned in Norway, Austria and Finland. Restricted use in Sweden and Germany.
- 249 Potassium nitrite - Preservative. Linked with behavioural problems, asthma, breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, possible carcinogen. Typical products include processed meats, cured and smoked meat and fish, root vegetables. Not permitted in foods for infant and young children.
- 621 Monosodium L-glutamate or MSG - Flavour enhancer. Should not be permitted in foods for infants and young children. Some of health problems MSG is linked with include asthma, hyperactivity, depression, mood changes, sleeplessness, nausea, migraine, linked to infertility. To be avoided especially by pregnant women, children, elderly and people with heart disease. Commonly found in potato and corn chips, powdered soup stock, snacks, crackers, sauces etc.
- 951 Aspartame - Artificial sweetener. It is present in more than 7000 products worldwide. Linked to many health problems: cancer, asthma, nausea, depressions, hyperactivity, seizures, breathing difficulties, memory loss and many others. It is believed to be the most dangerous food additive on the market. Sold as Equal®, NutraSweet®, Canderal®, Benevia® and Spoonful® sugar substitutes. Commonly found in cordials, juices, snacks, deserts, vitamins, diet and low calorie drinks, and many others.
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