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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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July 15, 2008 |
A Publication of QVHD |
What's That Stuff in My Food?
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
We have been taught to
look at food labels to understand how much fat, salt and sugar we are
consuming.. But we tend to skip over all those other things that are on
the ingredients labels, because, frankly we don't have a clue about most
of them. And we assume they must be safe, if they are allowed to be in
our food.
Nutrition Action Healthletter (May 2008) has compiled a very extensive
list of such words, commonly known as food additives. In addition to
providing the definition and function of these terms, the list also
makes recommendations about their safety and use. According to their
report, most food additives are safe. But the article identifies
additives that have not been adequately tested and a few that could be
dangerous to your health.
You may not be concerned about food additives, but somehow it is nice to
know what these things are. (Just think how impressed your friends will
be when you can tell them “propylene glycol alginate is nothing to worry
about. It is a stabilizer and thickening agent used in beer, candy,
cheese, ice cream and yogurt. It is made from seaweed.”)
The analysis lists 63 common additives and 8 artificial colorings. Each
additive or coloring is given at least one code of the following: safe,
cut back, caution, certain people should avoid or everyone should avoid.
Cut back is defined as “not toxic, but large amounts may be unsafe or
unhealthy.” Caution is defined as “may pose a risk and needs to be
better tested.” The article also provides an “additive shopping guide”
which lists the additives by their coding. (Note: these codings are
based on the opinion, research and position of the Nutrition Action
Healthletter staff.)
On the “certain people should avoid” list, some are related to specific
allergies or health problems that people might have. For example, casein
(sodium caseinate), used as a thickening agent in coffee creamer, ice
cream ice milk and sherbet, is the principal protein in milk and as such
may cause a problem for persons allergic to milk. Caffeine is also on
that list. MSG (monosodium glutamate), a sodium salt of the common amino
acid, glutamic acid, is used to bring out flavors in food. It may cause
health problems in persons who are sensitive to it. Hydrolyzed vegetable
protein (HPV) while made from a plant protein (usually soybeans) may
also cause reactions in persons sensitive to MSG.
There are 10 additives and 5 artificial colorings on the “everyone
should avoid list.” The additives to avoid, according to this article
are: acesulfame potassium, aspartame, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA),
olestra (Olean), partially hydrogenated oil, potassium bromate, propyl
gallate, saccharin, sodium nitrate (and sodium nitrite) and stevia. The
artificial colorings to avoid are: blue 1, blue 2, green 3, red 3, and
yellow 6.
The list is extensive and there may be some category ratings that you do
not agree with. However, it is certainly useful for understanding what
this stuff is in your food! (For example, cochineal (or carmine), is an
artificial coloring used in beverages, candy, ice cream and yogurt, that
is made from the dried and pulverized bodies of insects. Who would have
thought?)
QVHD can send district residents a copy of this article. District
residents can call QVHD, 248-4528 or request via email,
info@qvhd.org There is also a more
detailed list online at
www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm .
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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