We may sometimes overlook what we give our little ones out of ease and convenience but, little do we know, certain store-bought foods are filled with a world of chemicals. They’re harmless in small doses, but as they accumulate more and more, they propose to be harmful in the long run. Be wary of certain harmful chemicals that can be found on the labels of the foods and drinks that you purchase at the store, always be on the lookout and avoid those that have these 5 ingredients listed on their labels.
Tartrazine
What Is It?
Tartrazine is a synthetic yellow food dye used in foods, drugs, supplements and cosmetics.
Why is it Toxic?
These dyes or food colourings, many of which are derived from petroleum, are connected to a variety of health issues that can impact our kids. Food dyes are carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic and genotoxic. They are also linked to hyperactivity. Studies have shown that food dyes inhibit the growth and development of tissues in the nervous system. They can cause hypersensitivity reactions, including allergies, food intolerance or asthma. In a nutshell, the conclusion is food dyes are harmful and should be removed from our and especially our little ones’ food supply.
Where You’ll Find It
Consult labels for tartrazine or Yellow 5.
Common Foods Containing Tartrazine of Yellow 5
- Tinned noodles
- Cheese flavoured foods
- Junk foods and candy
- Yellow/orange crackers and chips
- Vitamins
- Drinks
- Personal care products
Food Grade Petroleum
What Is It?
Petroleum that is found in food is derived from crude oil and then processed into several products: gasoline, tar, asphalt, paraffin wax, cosmetics and unfortunately, our food. Due to its slick nature, food-grade petroleum is often used as coatings or waxes. Food colourings and dyes are also derived from petroleum.
Why is it Toxic?
Food grade petroleum products can affect a variety of bodily systems. For example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a petroleum-derived additive found in a wide variety of processed foods, but it’s also used in cosmetics and cleaning products. It can potentially damage our livers and kidneys. It can mimic the effects of estrogen and inhibit male sex hormones. And it can promote the growth of tumours. Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), another additive that comes from petroleum, has been linked to liver problems and cancer. Petroleum-derived food dyes are carcinogenic, genotoxic and can cause hypersensitivity. When tested on animals, rats were fed a variety of food-grade, petroleum-derived oils for three months. Test results showed changes in the rats’ liver and lymph nodes, including inflammation and increased organ weights – and the effects were more pronounced in females. And let’s not forget about the impact of petroleum on the environment. Oil spills, exhaust fumes and acid rain are just a few of the many ways petroleum is destroying the world we live in.
Where You’ll Find It
Labelled as food-grade paraffin wax
Common Foods Containing Food Grade Petroleum
- Breakfast cereals
- Snacks
- Crackers
- Candy (especially gummy candies)
- Drinks
- Supplements
- Baked goods
- Brightly-coloured ‘fun’ foods for children
Red Dye 40
Red dye 40 is the most-used dye. Animal studies link food dyes to a variety of health concerns, ranging from behavioural problems to allergies to cancer.
Why is it Toxic?
In addition to its carcinogenic properties and the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, Red 40 can also be contaminated with further carcinogens. Other animal studies have linked Red 40 to physical and developmental toxicity and DNA damage.
Where You’ll Find It
You may see it listed as Red 40, FD & C Red 40 or Allura Red.
Common Foods Containing Red 40
- Drinks
- Candy
- Cereals
- Baked goods
- Desserts
- Yoghurt
- Condiments
- Snack foods
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
What Is It?
This is corn syrup that has been processed so that some of its glucose molecules are converted into fructose molecules. This achieves a sweeter, more stable product that is cheap to produce and incorporate into various foods such as soft drinks.
Why is it Toxic?
- It increases cardiovascular disease risk.
- It may worsen breast cancer tumours.
- It can increase arthritis risk.
- Diabetes and insulin resistance.
- Obesity. HFCS is one of the many ingredients that play a role in obesity. Drinks that contain HFCS puts children at risk of childhood obesity.
- Kidney damage. An analysis of sugary soda consumption among adults concluded that it was associated with kidney damage.
Where You’ll Find It
On the labels of foods and drinks
Common Foods Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Beverages
- Candy
- Chocolate
- Pastries
- Dairy products
- Condiments
- Cereals
- Processed foods
- Frozen foods
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)/Yeast Extract
What Is It?
MSG is a flavour enhancer used in foods to provide that ‘umami’ effect. It’s produced by breaking down and changing natural-bound glutamate, an amino acid which the body produces, into free forms of glutamate that are attached to sodium molecules. After that, these free glutamates can enter the bloodstream much faster than bound or natural glutamate. MSG not only stimulates the nerves on the tongue but also becomes an ‘excitotoxin’ or neurotoxin that is addictive and produces harmful effects on the brain.
Why is it Toxic?
While glutamate is a naturally-occurring amino acid and neurotransmitter (which is why food producers try to convince us it’s safe), too much of it can interfere with the brain’s normal chemical messengers. Excessive MSG can cause ‘excitotoxicity’, where neurons become so excited and stimulated that they die. As you can imagine, this isn’t an ingredient we want our little ones with developing brains to consume.
MSG has been linked to a variety of symptoms and issues, including:
- Headaches.
- IBS and Fibromyalgia.
- Genotoxicity. When a substance is genotoxic, it has the ability to damage DNA and cause mutations that could potentially lead to cancer.
- Thyroid Disruption. A study on animals fed MSG for a month discovered that even low doses can disrupt thyroid tissues and affect body weight.
- It’s addictive. The gut-brain axis is now a widely accepted term that describes the intricate connection between the digestive tract and the brain.
- Other MSG-induced symptoms might include sweating, nausea, heart palpitations, or numbness.
Where You’ll Find It
The trouble with MSG is it’s not always easy to identify because it’s cloaked in many different names. One of the most common you’ll see on labels is ‘yeast extract’. The most common names include:
- Monosodium glutamate
- Yeast Extract
- Flavour Enhancer
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
- Textured Protein
- Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP)
- Autolyzed Yeast
- Vegetable Protein Extract
- Natural flavouring
Common Foods Containing MSG
- Seasoned/flavoured potato chips
- Seasoned/flavoured crackers
- Soup mixes/bouillon (organic and conventional)
- Cooking sauces
- Snack foods (ie. gluten-free pretzels!)
- Salad dressings
- Fast foods
- Deli meats
- Soy products
- Noodles