Food additives database

Is It Safe? Side Effects & Regulation

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Tag: SOME CONCERNS

  • E220 – Sulphur dioxide

    E220 – Sulphur dioxide

    Classified here as ORANGE because while most people can tolerate it in small amounts, sulphur dioxide can trigger asthma attacks, respiratory problems, and allergic-like reactions in sensitive individuals.

  • E211 – Sodium Benzoate

    E211 – Sodium Benzoate

    Sodium benzoate (E211) is a preservative used in soft drinks, sauces, and processed foods. While generally safe at regulated levels, it has been linked to benzene formation and hyperactivity in children, making it a substance to consume in moderation.

  • E407 – Carrageenan

    E407 – Carrageenan

    Carrageenan (E407) is a seaweed-derived thickener and stabilizer used in dairy, plant-based milks, and processed foods. It is legally allowed but remains controversial due to concerns about digestive health.

  • E250 – Sodium Nitrite

    E250 – Sodium Nitrite

    Sodium Nitrite (E250) is a preservative used in cured meats. Effective against dangerous bacteria, but controversial due to cancer risk from nitrosamines.

  • E129 – Allura Red AC

    E129 – Allura Red AC

    Allura Red AC (E129), also known as FD&C Red No. 40 in the United States, is a bright red azo dye used extensively in beverages, confectionery, dairy desserts, baked goods, and pharmaceuticals.

  • E102 – Tartrazine

    E102 – Tartrazine

    Tartrazine (E102) is a synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye used widely in processed foods, beverages, medicines, and cosmetics.

  • E950 – Acesulfame K

    E950 – Acesulfame K

    Acesulfame potassium is a synthetic sweetener developed in the late 1960s by German chemists. Common Uses: Diet and “zero” soft drinks, sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and desserts, low-calorie yoghurts and baked goods (heat stable, unlike aspartame), tabletop sweetener blends (with aspartame, sucralose, or cyclamate), pharmaceuticals and oral hygiene products for palatability.

  • E621 – Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    E621 – Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    MSG is the sodium salt of the amino acid L‑glutamic acid used to boost umami and overall flavour. Common Uses: Snack foods, instant noodles, packet soups and meal bases for depth and meatiness, processed meats and ready meals to enhance savoury notes, sauces, condiments and bouillon/stock cubes, restaurant cooking and seasonings.

  • E951 – Aspartame

    E951 – Aspartame

    Aspartame is a low-calorie, high-intensity sweetener about 200× sweeter than sucrose. Common Uses: Diet/zero-sugar soft drinks and energy drinks, sugar-free chewing gums and candies, tabletop sweetener sachets and tablets, low-calorie yoghurts, desserts, and gelatin mixes, pharmaceuticals and some oral care products.