Food Additives to Avoid – By Code

Below is a list of food additive codes (preservative and colorings) that are used in most our foods that we buy at the grocery store. You should try to

Food Additives to Avoid – By Code

become familiar with them and avoid them at all costs!

Food Additives Codes: Preservatives and colorings are used in most of our food.

AVOID THESE ADDITIVES: The chemicals below are only a small part of the many different chemicals that are found in every day food and produce we eat. If you and your Family want to stay healthy,

READ the labels carefully before you buy anything. SIMPLE RULE: When you go shopping, and you don’t understand the code of preservative, don’t buy the product.

Number, Type, Chemical Name, Origin, Possible Human side effects, Food Types

102 Coloring, Tartrazine Synthetic, azo dye. People can be very intolerant to Salicylates (aspirin, berries, fruits). In combination with benzoates (E210-213), tartrazine is implicated in a large percentage of cases of ADHD syndrome (hyperactivity) in children. Asthmatics may also experience symptoms following consumption of tartrazine, as it is a known histamine-liberating agent. Confectionery, fruit juice cordials, soft drinks, canned fruit, canned peas, brown sauces, pickles and flavored pie fillings.

110 Coloring, Sunset Yellow FCF Synthetic coal tar & azo dye. Hypersensitivity in aspirin-sensitive people, producing urticaria (nettle rash), swelling of skin, gastric upset, vomiting. Fruit juice cordials, packet rifle mix, hot chocolate mix, packet soup and confectionery.

122 Coloring, Azorubine (Carmoisine) Synthetic, azo dye. Can produce adverse reactions in sensitive people – aspirin allergy or asthmatics. Reactions include nettle rash and edema. Jelly crystals, confectionery, pre-packaged sponge fillings, pre-packages Swiss roll, marzipan, brown sauce.

123 Coloring, Amaranth Synthetic coal tar & azo dye. Possible connection to malignant tumors. Package cake, trifle mix, jelly crystals, fruit-flavored fillings

124 Coloring, Ponceau 4R Synthetic coal tar & azo dye. Azo dye to be avoided by asthmatics & aspirin-sensitive people. Desert toppings, canned strawberries, packet cheesecake, cake mix, trifle mix, jelly crystals.

127 Coloring, Erythrosine Synthetic iodine-containing red dye. Increased hyperactivity has been reported in a few cases, as well as a possible connection with mutative activity. Erythrosine causes an increased photosensitivity in people with sensitivity to sunlight. In high concentrations erythrosine interferes with iodine metabolism. Thyroid gland. Glace cherries, scotch eggs, biscuits, custard mix, canned cherries, rhubarb, strawberries.

132 Coloring, Indigotine Synthetic coal tar dye. Avoid if history of allergy. May cause vomiting or nausea, high blood pressure. Biscuits, confectionery.

200 Preservative, Sorbic acid. Synthetically manufactured for commercial use from ketene. Possible skin irritant. Almost every food product. Sausages, yoghurt, confectionery, lemonade, cheese, rye bread, cakes, pizza, shellfish, lemon juice, wine, cider and soups.

202 Preservative (Potassium sorbate) is the potassium salt of sorbic acid. Synthetically produced from the gas ketene, by neutralizing potassium hydroxide with sorbic acid, an unsaturated carboxylic acid Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid. Its primary use is as a food preservative (E number 202). Potassium sorbate is effective in a variety of applications including food, wine, and personal care products.

210 Preservative, Benzoic acid Chemical synthesis. Asthmatics & nettle-rash sensitive people should avoid. Reported to be responsible for neurological disorders. Cordial, chili paste, brewed soft drinks, fruit juice, non-dairy dips & non-canned tomato juice.

211 Preservative, Sodium benzoate. Sodium salt of benzoic acid. Combined with 102 can exacerbate allergic reactions in asthmatics or people with sensitive skin. as above.

212 Preservative, Potassium benzoate, Potassium salt of benzoic acid. Inadvisable for asthmatics or those allergic to aspirin, As above.

213 Preservative, Calcium benzoate, Calcium salt of benzoic acid. Can cause adverse reactions in asthmatics & aspirin-sensitive people. Fruit juice cordials, flavored cordials, soft drinks, fish marinades.

220 Preservative, Sulphur dioxide. Produced by combustion of sulphur. May cause gastric irritation and Headaches. Can precipitate an asthma attack. Fruit juices, cider, low-kilojoule jam, mixed dried fruit, dehydrated peas, cordials, syrups, flavored toppings, pickles.

221 Preservative, Sodium sulphite, Sodium salt of sulphurous acid – stops browning of potatoes, etc. To be avoided by those with impaired kidneys or liver. Can cause skin & gastric irritations, diarrhea. As above & uncooked prawns & shrimps, bread enhancer.

222 Preservative, Sodium bisulphite, Sodium salt of sulphurous acid – preservative for alcoholic beverages. To be avoided by asthmatics & those with impaired organs. Reduces thiamine content. As above.

223 Preservative, Sodium metabisulphite, commercially manufactured. Known to cause allergic skin reactions. Bread & flour products

224 Preservative, Potassium metabisulphite, commercially manufactured. May cause allergic skin reactions and gastric irritation. Fruit juices, cider, low-kilojoule jam, mixed dried fruit, dehydrated peas, cordials, syrups, flavored toppings, pickles.

249 Preservative, Potassium nitrite, curing agent – potassium salt of nitrous acid. Nitrites can affect the blood’s ability to transport oxygen, causing breathing difficulties, headaches. Not permitted in foods for children. Corned, cured, pickled, manufactured & pressed salt meats.

250 Preservative, Sodium nitrite, Manufactured from sodium nitrate. May cause breathing difficulties & headaches. Canned, manufactured, cured & pressed meat.

251 Preservative, Sodium nitrate, Natural mineral. As above. Forms small amounts of nitrosamines. Hazardous poison; possible carcinogenic. Slow-dried meat, prosciutto ham & manufactured meat.

252 Preservative, Potassium nitrate, Manufactured from waste – animal or vegetable material. Anemia, kidney inflammation, vomiting, muscular weakness. As above.

282 Preservative, Calcium propionate. Occurs naturally in Swiss cheese. Irritability, restlessness, inattention and sleep disturbance Bread & flour products.

283 Preservative, Potassium propionate. Occurs naturally in fermented foods. None recorded to date. Bread & flour products.

311 Anti-Oxidant, Octyl gallate. Obtained by acid or alkaline hydrolysis. Not permitted in foods intended for infants. May cause adverse reactions in asthmatics & aspirin-sensitive people. Edible fats, spreads, lard, dripping & margarine.

312 Anti-Oxidant, Dodecyl gallate. Obtained by acid or alkaline hydrolysis. May cause problems in asthmatics & aspirin-sensitive people. Edible fats, margarine, salad oils & essential oils.

321 Anti-Oxidant, Butylated hydroxytoluene. Synthetic preparation for use with petroleum & rubber products. Has been linked to reproductive failures (high doses in experimental animals) Food by absorption from food wrapping. Also Pecan & walnut kernels.

620 Glutamates (inc. MSG) Flavor enhancer L-Glutamic acid. Commercially produced from carbohydrates solution of bacterium. Inadvisable for children. See MSG below. Contains gluten Low-sodium salt substitutes.

621 Glutamates (inc. MSG) Flavor enhancer Monosodium glutamate. Commonly found in plant & animal tissue, Sodium salt of glutamic acid known as glutamates. In susceptible adults it causes vomiting, dizziness, headaches. Animal experiments show brain damage. Not permitted in foods manufactured for children & infants. Occurs in sauces, packet soups, quick soups, flavored noodles, condiments.

622 Glutamates (inc. MSG) Flavor enhancer, Monopotassium L-glutamate Synthetic. May cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea & abdominal cramps. Low-sodium & salt substitutes

An example of what is in most processed meats, and how it can affect you…

SODIUM NITRITE: 250 SODIUM NITRATE: 251

FOOD PRESERVATIVE: The numbers 250 and 251 are commonly found in most manufactured meats, e.g.: sausages, salami, canned meats, corned meat, pressed meat, ham, bacon, prosciutto, dry cured jerky, and also found in many other products.

ADVERSE AFFECTS: Nitrates also known as (saltpetre used in gunpowder) and Nitrites / may cause nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headaches, de-oxygenation of the blood, low blood pressure and collapse of the circulatory system. Nitrites form minute traces of nitrosamines in the stomach and these have been shown to be carcinogenic in animals, they are prohibited for sale in foods for babies and young children.

Source: NZ and Australian Additive Code Breaker