Many food additives are permitted in Australia even though their use is limited or banned in numerous overseas countries.
While some food additives are safe, others are suspected carcinogens and many have adverse health effects. Food additives have been associated with a range of food intolerance symptoms including hyperactivity, headaches, gastric irritation, behavioural disorders, learning difficulty, skin rashes and asthma symptoms.
Instantly identify dangerous food additives with ease with the Chemical Maze app and book.
Food additives to avoid:
- Colours 102, 104, 107, 110, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, 132, 133, 142, 143, 151, 153, 155, 160b (Annatto), 173, 174, 175
- Preservatives Sorbates 200’203 (in cheese, dips, drinks) Benzoates 210’213, 216, 218 (in soft drinks, cordials, medicine) Sulphites 220’228 (in dried fruits, cordials, juices, processed meats) Nitrates 249’252 (in processed meats) Proprionates 280’283 (in bread & bakery)
- Artificial Flavours: All (they don’t have numbers)
- Flavour Enhancers 620’625, 627, 631, 635, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
- Artificial Sweeteners 951 (aspartame)
- Fat: Hydrogenated fats or transfats
- Antioxidants 310, 311, 312, 319, 320, 321, 385
- Thickeners 407, 466
- Anti-caking agents/Emulsifiers 431, 433, 435, 436, 530, 553, 900, 914
- Miscellaneous 943a, 950, 952, 954, 1201, 1520, 1521
