Number

Names

Function

Reported Effects

Typical Uses

C17

Aldehyde

Flavouring

Skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset

Cherry-flavoured ice-cream, dye

Azo Dyes

Colouring

Skin contact can cause cancer; allergic reactions

Foods and beverages

Hydroquinone

Antioxidant

Nausea; vomiting; delirium; collapse; liver toxin; mutagen

Fats and oils.

Methylene chloride

Fragrance

CNS poison; drowsiness; nausea, birth defects, cancer.

Tablet coatings, vitamins.

Neotame – similar to aspartame 951

Sweetener

Treat with extreme caution – more research needed

Artificial sweetener.

SLS – Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

Surfactant

Liver toxin; heart, liver, lung, brain, thymus gland and immune system damage; headache; cough; nausea; vomiting.

Cake mix, dried egg products.

Sulphites

Preservative

Causes asthma; anaphylactic shock; skin rashes; stomach irritation; swelling

Dried fruit, beer, cider, fruit juice, wine gelatine, pickles, soft drink, low joule jam, desiccated coconut, vinegar.

102

E102

FD&C yellow 5/coal tar dye (banned from foods in Norway & Finland)

Colouring

Hyperactivity; thyroid; tumours;

aggression; headache; migraine; nettle rash; hay fever; asthma; insomnia; itching; blurred vision; confusion; swelling of lips and tongue; tingling of the mouth; cancer

Confectionery, sweet corn,

canned peas, cheese crackers, soft drink, mint sauce, mint jelly, fruit juice cordial, Marzipan, pickles,

brown sauce, packet dessert topping, jam, cereal, packaged soup

104/E104

Quinoline Yellow

(azo dye)

Colouring

Asthma; hyperactivity; contact dermatitis, skin rashes; cancer;

allergic reactions in aspirin-

sensitive people

Cosmetic dye, lipstick, hair care products, cologne

E107

Yellow 2G

(azo dye)

Colouring

Asthma; hyperactivity; contact dermatitis, skin rashes; cancer; allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people

Soft drink

110/E110

Sunset Yellow FCF

(yellow 6)

Colouring

Asthma; hyperactivity; cancer;

allergic reactions in aspirin-

sensitive people (nettle rash, gastric upset, swelling of the skin, vomiting);hives; hay fever; abdominal pain

Fruit juice cordial, hot chocolate mix, cereal, Marzipan, ice cream, packet soup, canned fish, confectionery

123/E123

to

129/E129

Amaranth, Ponceau 4R,

Erythrosine, Red 2G, Allura Red

Colouring

Cancer; asthma; hyperactivity; allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people (nettle rash); malignant tumours, hay fever; cancer; anaemia; urticaria

Packet cake mix, packet trifle mix, jelly crystals. Cereal, soft drink, lipstick, rouge, dessert topping, biscuits, glace cherries, maraschino cherries, canned red cherries, scotch eggs, canned strawberries, meat products, choc biscuits

132/E132

Indigotine(FD&C blue 2)

Coal tar dye

Colouring

Asthma; hyperactivity, cancer, allergic reactions in chemically sensitive people

Blancmange mix, biscuits, ice cream, confectionery, baked goods

133/E133

Brilliant Blue FCF

(FD&C blue 1)

Colouring

Cancer, malignant tumours, allergic reactions in chemical-sensitive people; asthma; hyperactivity

Canned processed peas, soft drink, dairy products, gelatine, desserts, cereal, toothpaste, cosmetics, deodorant

151/E151

Brilliant Black (azo dye)

Colouring

Asthma, hyperactivity, cancer

Blackcurrant cheese-cake mix, brown sauce

E154

Brown FK ( kipper brown, food brown)

Colouring

Genetic mutation; asthma; hyperactivity; cancer; skin rashes

Kippers, smoked and cured fish

155/E155

Brown HT (chocolate brown HT) (coal tar & azo dye)

Colouring

Allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people and asthmatics; hyperactivity; cancer

Chocolate cake mix, chocolate biscuits

220/E220

Sulphur Dioxide

Preservative

Asthma; hyperactivity; headache; gastric irritation; nausea; liver toxin; backache; bronchitis; destroys vitamin B in food

See sulphur dioxide (220). Also fresh containerised orange juice, uncooked prawns and shrimps

249/E249

to

252/E252

Potassium Nitrite; Sodium Nitrite; Potassium Nitrate; Sodium Nitrate

Preservative

Asthma, cancer, breathing difficulties, dizziness; headache

Corned, cured, pickled, manufactured and pressed meat, prosciutto ham, uncooked fermented manufactured meat,

E284

Boric Acid

Preservative Bleaching Agent

Suspected of being a neurotoxin; poisonings have occurred after ingestion or topical application to abraded skin, kidney damage

Foods, cosmetics, soap, pharmaceuticals

320/E320

321/E321

Butylated Hydroxyanisole

(BHA) (coal tar dye and petroleum derivative)

Antioxidant

Preservative

Asthma; Cancer; skin blistering; dermatitis; hyperactivity; extreme weakness; fatigue; skin & eye irritation; allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people

Instant mashed potato, edible oil, reduced fat spread, margarine, chewing gum, polyethylene film food wrap, baby oil, baby lotion, lipstick, eyeliner, shaving cream

407/E407

407a

Carrageenan (Irish Moss)

(often contains MSG)

Processed Eucheuma Seaweed

Thickener

Vegetable Gum

Asthma; cancer; ulcerative colitis; skin rashes; colon ulcers; do not give to babies or young children

Ice cream, dessert mix, confectionery, pastries, biscuits, thickened cream

533

E533b

Talc

Anti-caking agent

Cancers (stomach & ovarian); respiratory problems

Chocolate, polished rice, confectionery

620/E620

L-Glutamic Acid

(glutamic adic)

Flavour enhancer

Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; Huntington’s disease

Low-sodium salt substitutes

621/E621

Monosodium

L-Glutamate (MSG)

Flavour enhancer

Asthma; hyperactivity; depression; irritability; mood changes; male and female infertility; celiac disease; abdominal discomfort; nausea; convulsions; headache; migraine

Packet soup, quick soup, malt extract; flavoured noodles, sauce, soy sauce’ gelatine’ plus hidden sources of MSG including cosmetics, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner

622/E622

Monopotassium L-glutamate

Flavour enhancer

Asthma; headache; vomiting, nausea; may cause problems in people with poor kidney function

Low-sodium salt substitute

951/E951

Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Spoonful, Equal, Equal Measure) (derived from phenylalanine, aspartic adic and methanol, it accounts for over 75% of adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA)

Sweetener

FOUND IN OVER 5,000 PRODUCTS.

Cancer; asthma; hyperactivity; fatigue; headache; anxiety; MS-like symptoms; migraine; depression; insomnia, irritability; impotence; dizziness; memory loss; Alzheimer’s disease; epilepsy; diabetes; Parkinson’s disease; blindness; neuralgia; seizures; plus at least 80 others

Artificial sweeteners, diet drinks, low-joule foods, low-joule gum, confectionery, brewed soft drinks, anything which is “sugar free” or “without added sugar” (used in over 5,000 products)

952/E952

Cyclamates,

Cyclamic acid (banned in many countries incl. USA, England, Canada, India and Sweden)

Sweetener

Cancer; various skin conditions; migraine; it should be avoided by those with circulation, heart or liver problems

Artificially sweetened canned fruit, brewed soft drinks, low-joule foods

954/E954

Saccharin,

Calcium Saccharin,

Sodium Saccharin

Sweetener

Headache; urticaria; cancer; shrunken testicles, lowered testosterone levels; mutagen

Artificial sweetener, fruit juice, low-joule foods, brewed soft drink, chewing gum, toothpaste, lipstick

1520

Propylene Glycol

(propanediol) (used industrially in anti-freeze and brake fluid)

Humectant

Kidney damage; liver abnormalities; liver toxin; central nervous system depression; neurotoxin, contact dermatitis.

Confectionery, sweetened coconut. Flavouring essences.