Tag: artificial colours
Yes to spices, no to artificial flavours
Next time you open a sachet of powdered flavouring to add to noodles, stop and think what else you could use from your pantry. The sachet most likely contains at least one form of MSG and a range of other additives, artificial colours and flavours you might rather avoid.
Continue reading Yes to spices, no to artificial flavoursIngredients in cheese slices – quick review
Cheese slices are promoted to us as a source of calcium and vitamin D. Low fat versions are available and the marketing message is clear about their place in our daily dairy intake.
Continue reading Ingredients in cheese slices – quick reviewIn food labelling, ‘no added’ doesn’t mean none at all
How reassured are you to see the phrase ‘no added sugar’ or ‘no added artificial colours’ on the packaging of a food item in your supermarket? Have you every bought a ‘no added’ product thinking that item was a healthy alternative? At some time, we have all fallen victim to this sneaky advertising ploy.
Continue reading In food labelling, ‘no added’ doesn’t mean none at allAsthma, 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 themBrown bread may be white bread in disguise
Did you know that many brands of brown bread are nothing more than the white bread you are trying to avoid? Both start with a grain of wheat, but we wrongfully assume that a brown bread grain is not subject to the same level of processing as its white counterpart.
Continue reading Brown bread may be white bread in disguiseAllergic to amaranth even though it sounds natural
Allergies to red food colouring are not uncommon, but when the name of the colour shown on the label is ‘amaranth’ (E123) it is easy to think this might be one of the more acceptable food colouring alternatives. As a grain, amaranth is touted as one of the superfoods of the decade. High in protein […]
Continue reading Allergic to amaranth even though it sounds naturalAsthma risk with children’s blue cough syrup
Blue-coloured cough syrup is best avoided by children with asthma tendencies. Not one but two colours are used to give this over-the-counter medicine its ‘attractive’ blue hue. In one leading brand, I found artificial colour 133 (or brilliant blue) and artificial colour 104 (quinoline yellow) which are both associated with a heightened risk of an […]
Continue reading Asthma risk with children’s blue cough syrupNatural flavours still subject to chemical process
Do you know the difference between a natural flavour and an artificial flavour? Ironically, they are often both made in the same factory and are both the result of complex chemical processes. The ‘natural flavour’ certainly sounds healthier and more pure but the reality is that it can be just as processed, often with just […]
Continue reading Natural flavours still subject to chemical processCola one of the highest selling items in your supermarket
Cigarettes aside, one of the highest selling supermarket lines in Australia today is the 1.25 litre bottle of cola. Shockingly, the top five positions are almost all occupied by this brand’s products. So what exactly is in this soft drink?
Continue reading Cola one of the highest selling items in your supermarketAmmonia free – the best hair colouring option
A hair colour at the salon should be a pampering treat but did you know the ammonia used as an active ingredient in most commercial hair color preparations is also used in explosives manufacturing, toilet cleaners and cigarettes? Ammonia hydroxide has been linked to asthma, bronchitis and skin irritations. It also causes havoc in the […]
Continue reading Ammonia free – the best hair colouring option