Food additives are non-nutritive substances added intentionally to foods, generally in small quantities, to improve its appearance, flavour, texture, or storage properties. However some food additives are banned now.
Prohibited Food Additives: According to Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (India), using following food additives in foods are banned: Brominated Vegetable Oil (B.V.O.), Calamus and Its Derivatives, Chlorofluorocarbon Propellants, Cobalt Salts and Their Derivatives, Coumarin and Di Hydro Coumarin, Cyclamate and Its Derivatives, Di Ethyl Pyro Carbonate (DEPC), Dulcin, Mono-Chloro Acetic Acid, Nor Di Hydro Guaiaretic Acid (NDGA): Safrole and Thiourea.
Some food additives are to be used with caution. These are: Coal Tar Dyes, Butylated Hydroxy Toluene(BHT), Butylated Hydroxy Anisole(BHA), Caffeine, Saccharin, Sodium Nitrite and Nitrate, Artificial Flavours, Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG), Sulphur Dioxide and Bisulphites, Phosphoric Acid and Phosphates, and Talc and Kaolin.
Coal Tar Dyes: Coal tar dyes are used as a colourant in vegetable and fruit products; in soft drinks, candies, desserts, and pastries; in sausages, baked foods, ice-creams, hot dogs, and hamburgers; in sweetmeats, snacks, confectioneries, alcoholic and other beverages. If coal tar dyes are used in excess, consumers may have allergic reactions; in severe cases, there may be pathological lesions in vital organs of the consumers.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (bht): BHT is used in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, edible oils, etc. BHT should be used in minimal quantities. If used in excess, consumers may get allergic reactions and sometimes BHT may be stored in body fat as a toxin.
Butylated hydroxyanisole(BHa): BHA is used in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips , edible oils, etc. BHA should be used in minimal quantities. If used in excess, consumers may get allergic reactions. It is safer than BHT.
Caffeine: Caffeine is used as a stimulant in soft drinks, and other beverages. Excess consumption of caffeine causes insomnia. Children and pregnant mothers should avoid consumption of caffeine and caffeine-added foods.
Saccharin: Saccharin is used as a non-calorie sweetener in food products. It is also used as a food adulterant. Consumption of saccharin is not advised for diabetes patients and obese people.
Sodium Nitrite and Nitrate: It is used as a food preservative to prevent microbial growth, especially bacillus growth, in foods. It may be used a food colourant in bacon, ham, other meat products such as beef, and smoked fish. It may be used to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum, an important microorganism that causes food spoilage and therefore food poisoning. Excess use of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate in foods may leave residues of cancer-producing nitrosamines in foods.
Artificial Flavors: Wide range of artificial colours are used in soft drinks, breakfast cereals, baked foods, vegetable products, fruit products, ice creams, custards, desserts, alcoholic beverages etc. Over consumption of such foods may lead to hyperactivity in small children.
Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG): MSG is used as a taste-maker and flavour enhancer for soups, noodles, poultry and meat preparations, sauces, stews and cheese. Excess use of MSG may lead to headaches, strain in necks and arms etc.
Sulphur Dioxide and Bisulphites: It is used as a food preservative and bleach for sliced fruits, wine, grape juice, dried potatoes, dried fruits, vegetable and fruit products etc. Excess use of sulphur dioxide and bisulphites adversely affects absorption of Vitamin B1 in the body.
Phosphoric Acid and Phosphates: It is used as an acidifier, chelating agent, emulsifier etc. It may also be used as a discoloration inhibitor in baked goods, cheese etc. It is used in cured meat, soft drinks, dried potatoes etc. Excess consumption of this chemical causes dietary imbalance that may eventually cause bone shrinking (osteoporosis).
Prohibited Food Colourants: According to Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (India), using following food colourants in foods are banned: Acid Magenta II, Blue VRS, Brilliant black, Red FB, and Red 6B.
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