Author: L. Schneider
MSG and Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Question: I note that MSG is rated as best avoided and that Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is rated as safe. I am confused about glutamate safety and how it differs between the two additives? Is it not the glutamate component that is dangerous?
Continue reading MSG and Sodium Cocoyl GlutamateSulphur Dioxide (220) the key to bright orange dried apricots
Dried apricots can be a delicious and healthy snack for children but did you know that preservative 220, or sulphur dioxide, is used to maintain their bright orange colour in the drying process? Dried apricots, like many fruits when dried or preserved, tend to darken in colour and apparently we, as consumers, find that unappealing. […]
Continue reading Sulphur Dioxide (220) the key to bright orange dried apricotsDo food additives contribute to obesity?
Whilst research is yet to establish a causal link between obesity and food additives, common sense tells us that there is a link between the two. Most of the calorie-dense, high fat foods that contribute to obesity in individuals are also high in chemical additives, preservatives and artificial everything else.
Continue reading Do food additives contribute to obesity?Naphthalene linked to infant blood disorders and brain damage
Recent research has confirmed that it is not safe to dress babies in clothes that have been stored in naphthalene, a key ingredient in mothballs. Naphthalene is not a banned ingredient in Australia but experts are now calling for any products that use it as an ingredient to be removed from sale.
Continue reading Naphthalene linked to infant blood disorders and brain damageMSG in milk products a hidden ingredient
Reduced-fat milk products may contain MSG. A prepackaged chocolate milk drink (fat free) caught my attention this week. Some would consider this a moderately healthy choice, and most people would not be remotely suspicious that this product could contain something as potentially harmful as MSG. There are many products we know are worth checking for […]
Continue reading MSG in milk products a hidden ingredientHow are food additives classified
Here is a quick and ready reckoner that provides an easy to understand classification system for the food additives used today. 100-199 Colours 200-299 Preservatives and Food Acids 300-399 Antioxidants, Mineral Salts and Food Acids 400-499 Emulsifiers, Humectants, Vegetable Gums and Processing Aids 500-599 Anti Caking Agents, Firming Agents, Stabilisers and Processing Aids 600-899 Flavour […]
Continue reading How are food additives classifiedAlcohol-free skin care good for your skin, good for health
Many skin care products use alcohol as a solvent to lift dirt and oils from the skin. Cleansers, fragrances, hairsprays and deodorants are common products containing this kind of ‘cosmetic’ alcohol, which is denatured and undrinkable. The side effects of denatured alcohol include birth defects, neurotoxicity and skin irritations and given that the skin is […]
Continue reading Alcohol-free skin care good for your skin, good for healthAsthma, hyperactivity and the food colours which cause them
Recent research in the UK points to six artificial food colours which are linked to asthma and hyperactivity in children. Those artificial food additives are: sunset yellow (E110) quinoline yellow (E104) carmoisine (E122) allura red (E129) tartrazine (E102) ponceau 4R (E 124) Some of these food colours are now banned in the USA. In the […]
Continue reading Asthma, hyperactivity and the food colours which cause themIs dental floss healthy?
Dental floss is probably one of those products you don’t give much thought to. We buy it and use it regularly, but how it is made is one of those manufacturing questions you’ve never thought about. Dental floss is typically made from nylon which is a byproduct of petroleum. The wax coating on most flosses […]
Continue reading Is dental floss healthy?Additives banned for infants could be banned for all children
Many additives considered safe by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) are also classed as ‘prohibited for use for infants’. In fact, according to the Chemical Maze, 84% of approved additives are not allowed to be used in foods for infants, an age limit set at twelve months of age. Eighty four percent of food […]
Continue reading Additives banned for infants could be banned for all children