Just How Important are Enumbers in Food?

Posted on July 9, 2010 by rosante

You may have a clue just how important food additives are these days but you may not know that not everybody can tolerate these substances in their system. Luck for these individuals that they can turn to enumbers in food and beverage packages to get a clue if it’s harmful or not. They may not get to enjoy every consumable there is in the market but they are safer by a mile.

The reason why these chemical additives are strictly moderated by Food and Drug Agencies around the globe is because of the effects it has on the well being of the body. A can of soda isn’t just a treat but a potential threat as well. Even the most seemingly innocent food can harm the body. Unfortunately, you cannot avoid consuming them altogether because additives are necessary for food preservation as well.

Not only does food need additives to have longer shelf lives but they are also important when it comes to the color, texture and taste. Without the presence of any additive in our food and drinks, they would not only spoil faster but they would also taste funny and can even be unpalatable. They can also make your food feel a little goopy or a tad too thick for your taste.

Since it has been establish that the world can’t do away with these potentially harmful food additives, they are carefully regulated just so that it would lessen whatever impact there is in one’s health. Studies are constantly being conducted to see the long term effects of their consumption. Unfortunately for this case, it may be too late for those who are voracious eaters of food with loads of additives.

If you have been sick before and you can’t pinpoint exactly why, you might need to have yourself checked for allergies. Not all allergies come from natural items but they can also be from chemical substances in food as well. The enumbers in food may give you an idea which item can potentially trigger your allergic reactions. You would do yourself a big favor by knowing what not to eat and drink.

Don’t be intimidated by the seemingly cryptic numbers because they are codes that can make things easier for you. There are tons of additives currently being used and not all of them are harmful. You may check out the list of chemicals that are very dangerous to the system. Don’t be afraid to skipped food items that contain additives on the suspicious list.  You just don’t know how harmful they would be a few years from now.

Everyone should take the enumbers in food seriously because it is not just a series of numbers and letters placed to take up packaging space. They are there to make people realize what they would be feeding to their bodies and to their families’ system as well. As delicious as it may taste, it is better to avoid all foodstuff that contains harmful substances that may be toxic for you.

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Can Food Coloring Trigger Food Allergies and Other Health Problems?

Posted on July 9, 2010 by rosante

One of the most important factors in food preparation whether it be a home cooked meal or a repacked microwave dinner is the color of what you are about to eat. The eyes can do wonders to the appetite. At first glance, a food that looks delicious would make the brain think that you are about to eat something spectacular. Unfortunately, the food color may also be one of the most common triggers of food allergy.

You may say that it’s just a color. What harm can it do to your body? If you don’t know it yet, many of the food items used food coloring to make sure that they would look just right. This is not just the type taken from nature but they are usually chemical additives placed to make sure that the color would appeal your senses. The chemicals are usually used by industries that make food and drinks and they are not just limited to main course meals but to snacks and other types as well. This doesn’t make home cooked meals safe either. That dash of spice you just dropped to the pot most likely contains chemicals as well.

Still, additives are being used frequently now right? So maybe some people are just paranoid and it’s really okay to eat food with coloring right? Not really. There are many studies that show how destructive some artificial food coloring is to the system. Currently, there are many food additives banned by Western countries because aside from their color, they can also have some bad effects to the body. Some of these food additives are still being used by companies and they even have the audacity to slap the worlds “e-number free” in their packaging. A lot of people have the general impression that it is just about preservatives so these unethical manufacturers get away with it.

So what are the most common effects of additives to the body? Are they simply headaches that you can deal with easily? Some people may have felt a little woozy but the most common are allergies and hyperactivity. There are many food colorings incompatible with medications as well. If you are taking some meds, ask your doctor what food you should avoid to make sure that you won’t have to suffer from added complications.

It is not just the food coloring you should concern yourself with. There are many chemical additives being used as of today.  There are many preservatives, anti-oxidants, thickeners and flavorings that can cause some serious harm. If you are one of those unfortunate enough to be intolerant to these additives, you may suffer complications like skin rashes, digestive problems and even blindness.

The beauty of e-numbers in food is that you don’t have to worry in the future that you would later pay for the indulgences you have partake in. you know that as of the present, if you eat the right food and managed to dodge the evil additives so to speak, you would live a healthy life.

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Stop Yourself from Getting Food Allergy and Other Health Problems

Posted on July 9, 2010 by rosante

Did you know that you don’t actually have to eat something spoiled to get sick from food? Even a “good” food can land you to the nearest hospital without you knowing it. Take note that during these times, tons of additives are placed in food in order to make it better. Unfortunately, the effect is not always positive. If you are unlucky, you can get anywhere from food allergy to rhinitis.

Scientists have studied and produced artificial substances to make food more than what it was years ago. Too bad that aside from the positive effects, people have to deal with the bad side of the coin as well. A modern food can be loaded with vitamins and still be unhealthy if it is dosed with harmful substances such as tartrazine and calcium sulphite. Of course these are banned additives and are no longer allowed to be used in manufacturing food items but we can’t entirely be too sure of safe additives as well.

Ever since experts have realized that additives can also do massive damage to our system, it has been closely monitored by various agencies. The European Food Safety Authority has come up with a list of sub stances being used as additives presently and on the past as well.  To those who don’t understand what this code is about, it may seem entirely gibberish but the system they created made it entirely possible for people to see which ones are good food in every sense of the way.

The positive thing about knowing the bad seeds in the e-numbers’ list is that you know just what to avoid and what additive to accept. Remember that they are widely used anywhere in the world and even things like your medication can contain these chemical additives. Just make sure that any item you are going to take into your body doesn’t have anything that may trigger your food allergy and other complications.

The issue of additives is not just important to those who have allergies but also to those who have special dietary needs like vegetarians. If you must know, some of these additives are taken from animals. Additives like the Carbon Black, Glycerol and various Lecithins are extracted from animals. This can not only be offensive for vegetarians but they can also cause stomach flairs due to intake.

Not surprisingly, it is not just solids that can damage your body but drinks as well. You most probably know already about the evils of artificial sweeteners but you may be shocked that even plain water can bring Alzheimer’s disease. So be picky when it comes to your choice of beverages because it may be fatal for you.

The list of complications you can get from taking additives can go on and on. Food allergy, hives, fever, dermatitis and cancer – these are only some of the few things you can get from food aside from the feeling of fullness. Make sure that you equip yourself with the knowledge about them so that you can avoid these dreaded problems.

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Avoid Food Allergies with Help from E-numbers

Posted on July 9, 2010 by rosante

Have you ever experience feeling sick after consuming too much food? Don’t credit it all to indigestion because you might be a victim of eating food that is rich in harmful chemical additives. Negative effects can be anywhere from hyper activeness to food allergies. They can even move up to fatal complications that may lead to your ultimate demise.

People who look at the labels before buying their food and drinks are not paranoid. Most items being sold in the market today contains additives. It is just one of those substances embraced by the modern would because it simplifies things. Food doesn’t have to spoil prematurely, taste doesn’t have to be too sour or stale, and it doesn’t have to look unappealing. Even the simplest items like jam isn’t entirely chemical free these days. Substances have to be added to make sure that there will be consistency to the taste and texture of the jam.

As miraculous as it may seem, there is a dark side in every gift. The additives placed in your food and drinks that make it taste terrific can also land you a stint in the sick bed. Of course it’s not like the yester years where almost all preservatives are liable to be harmful. Today, there are regulating bodies that make sure you won’t get sick the next time you pop that seemingly harmless potato chip in your mouth. Not only do they regulate but they also research or oversee that studies of the long term effects of each food additive despite being deemed safe. It’s quite a relief for health advocates because without any research, people won’t know just how harmful an additive is until it manifests itself years later.

Based on the current list of the European Food Safety Authority, there are a bunch of food additives that shouldn’t even be consumed by humans. The effects may range from a dizziness spell to skin problems. Various food allergies and asthma are also some of the most common negative effects. Surprisingly, some additives can even lead to respiratory problems, seizure, massive malfunctioning of the organs and even death. You may think that these effects manifested themselves over time but some people got instantly sick after they ate an item that has an additive in it. Remember just how swift allergic reactions are.

As grim as it sounds, there are some ways to stop yourself from being sick. One of the most common things you can do is to check the labels on the items even before buying them. It is better to keep all harmful items away from your house rather than buy one and be pushed by hunger to eat it anyway later. The additives you should stay away from are those that are deemed very dangerous or suspicious by regulatory bodies.

Another way to make sure that you won’t get sick with food allergies and other complications from additive is to go to your doctor or nutritionist and voice out your concern. They may be able to provide you with more information what to avoid and what to eat.

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What Every Parent Should Know: How can the E-numbers in Food Benefit Your Children?

Posted on July 9, 2010 by rosante

As much as you love your children, are you unknowingly doing them more harm than good? You may not know it but nutrition plays a vital role not just to the physical development of the child but to the mental and emotional development as well. It is not just enough for you to provide well but it is also important for you to keep them safe. One way to make sure that you are raising your child right is by actually using the e-numbers in food as your guide when it comes to providing them with nourishment.

You might be flabbergasted that you have to deal with seemingly confusing codes just to make sure that your kids would grow well in every sense of the way, but take into consideration the effects of the items one would consume to the body. Children are more susceptible to these effects because they are simply more sensitive. Feeding your kids nutritious meals free from harmful additives can do wonders not just to their body but to their disposition as well.

If you are not yet convinced just how important food is to the disposition of your child, take for example the effect of aspartame. It is an artificial sweetener found in most treats your tike would just love to gobble up anytime. If you don’t know it yet, it is also considered to be one of the most common additives your child eats. Alas as much as your kid loves the sweetened taste of the treats, it can also bring hyperactivity, allergic reactions and respiratory problems. It is also sadly one of the reasons why there are so many kids with weight problems.

Aside from these harmful complications, recent studies have also shown that some additives can cause mental retardation to children. It means that if you are going to feed them the wrong food, you can stop their mental development. Massive consumption of harmful additives can lead to other complications such as ADHD to your child as well.

You may ask why these food additives are still being used if they can harm the body. Well, some of these were already used years ago before research came up with the conclusion that they are harmful. Most countries in the western world have regulatory commissions that deem these additives safe or dangerous to use. An example of this is the e-numbers in food of the European Union. Once research comes up with a solid conclusion that it is harmful, these regulatory bodies have the power to ban their use. Unfortunately, there are still some unethical companies that manage to slip through and their products may come into your hands, straight into your pantry.

So far, the European Union has put their foot down and has empowered you and the rest of their citizens with the e-numbers in food so that you can have the choice of buying only the healthiest products. Good parents would go to great lengths to make sure they don’t expose their children to food that may cause them harm while filling their bellies as well.

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Certain Groups of People Who Must Avoid Certain Enumbers In Food

Posted on July 9, 2010 by rosante

Some e-numbers in food may have adverse effects on certain people who are suffering from specific conditions.  In order to prevent any medical condition from being triggered or getting worse, it is important that people are educated on these e-numbers.  Below is a list that could give you a good start:

People with Breathing Difficulties or Asthma

If you have been experiencing breathing troubles or asthma, you must avoid the following e-numbers:

  • E102 (tartrazine)– This is a yellow synthetic dye usually found in cake mixes, fizzy drinks, ice cream, jam, marzipan, custard powder, yogurt, sauces, and marmalades.  It is known to cause allergic reactions in individuals who have asthma.
  • E107 (yellow G)—Just like E102, this is known to cause allergies in people who already have breathing problems.
  • E213 (calcium benzoate)—This is a form of preservative that worsens the symptoms of asthma.
  • E142 (green S.)—This is an additive often used in ice cream, sweets, mint sauce, gravy granules and tinned peas.
  • E104 (quinoline yellow)—This is a synthetic dye used in sweets like ice lollies and ice cream.  It is also used in scotch eggs and smoked haddocks.

People with Intolerances and Allergies

If you are highly intolerant on some things or you easily develop an allergy, here are the e-numbers you must steer clear from:

  • E142 (green S)—Aside from making asthma worse, this e-number also causes allergic reactions such as urticaria or hives.

  • E220 (sulphur dioxide)—This is a form of preservative that is often found in wines, dried fruits, soft drinks, and vinegar.  It is associated to triggering asthma attacks.

  • E132 (indigo carmine)—This is a kind of food coloring that is related to an increase in skin sensitivity.   It is usually used in baked products like cakes, biscuits, cookies, and other sweets.  It is also found in ice cream.

People with Gastric Problems

Yes, some e-numbers actually cause stomach upsets.  If you have a sensitive stomach, here are what you must avoid:

  • E110  (sunset yellow)– A synthetic yellow dye usually found in ice creams, sweets, and various drinks.  This is known for causing gastric upset.
  • E226 (calcium sulphite)– A preservative that is already banned in Australia because of its known effects, mostly stomach irritation among kids and adults alike.

Specifically for Children

There are e-numbers, which are specifically advised to be avoided by children because they are linked to causing ADHD or worsening it.  Some of them are the following:

  • E102  (tartrazine)– Yes, it does not only cause asthma and rashes but also hyperactivity in your kids.
  • E124 (ponceau 4R)– This is an additive found in biscuits, sweets, and other drinks and is associated with intolerances in kids.
  • E122 (carmoisine)—Often found in snacks that children love such as ready meals, sweets, and jellies.  It is believed to increase allergic reactions as well as other intolerances.
  • E104 –(quinoline yellow)– Aside from the most common symptom of food allergy which is rashes, this additive found in pickles and sweets is also known to make hyperactive children extra active.
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E-Numbers listed on Food Labels

Posted on July 9, 2010 by rosante

When we think of purchasing foods, we do look at the packaging and wonder sometimes how they last so long on the shelf.   We know they add preservatives but we do not always look to see what they are or if we do then we do not know how to pronounce them or understand what the words they mean.  The one thing that we do know it that they have to be listed on the package.  The names of the colorings and preservatives and chemicals are so long that a numbering method was designed to take less room on the package.

The E stands for European for by a range of number for each category.  It takes less room and if you learn the categories it can become quite simple for you to know by a quick glance what is in the food.  For example, if you want to list the ingredient for a specific color the E-number would be followed by a number ranging between numbers 100 and 181, antioxidants range from300 to 340, flavor enhancers range from 600 to 650 and glazing agents are 900 to 910.

The ingredients are used for taste modification, for sweetness and even flavor enhancers, for color to make the food look appealing, for preserving a food item so that it may have a longer shelf life.

It is obvious this method takes less room on the packaging when it is printed.  What happens now is the consumer needs to become more educated in what they are eating or feeding their family and children.  If you are trying to stay away from certain things then you would be looking for certain E-Numbers to stay away from on your labels.

This would be the time to do some research and learn the new table for the E ranges. Once you know what they are it will be simple to look at the back of any package to see whether or not you want this item.  Especially if you were pregnant or feeding younger children there may be E ranges that you will want to stay away from because of the exposures to the different preservatives.  It may be due to allergies or to certain types of chemicals that you have some things about and do not want the continued exposure.

Whatever the reason may be the more you learn about the food you are eating,  including learning the E-number system, then you can make better choices about what you are buying and feeding yourself and your family.

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Understanding the Role E-number Plays to Your Health

Posted on July 7, 2010 by rosante

You might have seen the word e-number the last time you went out and bought some food and have wondered if it’s something you should bother learning about. After all, those strange series of numbers seem confusing, right? The truth is, you should definitely understand what it is about because of the impact it has on your health.

Basically, they are codes for food additive set by the European Union. Any food item being sold and packed is required by law to contain these codes to make sure that consumers are aware of the substances being placed in their meals and snacks. It’s very convenient for people who are conscious of their well being because they don’t have to be blindsided by companies aiming to make a profit based on false advertising.

Of course it is impossible for you to be free from food additives because today, even the simplest items contain these chemical helpers so to speak. Even the vitamin supplements you may have taken moments ago contain a little additive boost. Making a homemade sandwich? Even that mayonnaise you’re about to slap in your bread contains quite a few additives.

You don’t have to entirely shun them from your diet. It is a matter of knowing which are necessary and which are not. You would most probably want that antioxidant in your mayo because your food would most likely taste a little rancid without it but you could avoid some wines that contain the food coloring named amaranth. It may make your food and drinks look good but it can also trigger asthma attacks as well as other bothersome food allergies.

Among other things you should always check are artificial sweeteners. They are placed in food and drinks usually being consumed by kids. An average kid can literally eat bags of these items full of artificial sweeteners in just a single sitting. It may not sound too serious but studies show that they can trigger hyperactivity. This is very serious when you’re dealing with young kids who are not only trying to dodge diabetes but hyperactivity as well. The best route to take is to dilute the sweeteners or to lessen their consumption.

Many people have already taken the step towards better living by knowing just how these things affect their body. If you want to make sure that you and your family’s safe from harm, you should make it a point to buy wisely and to look at the labels. There’s nothing wrong with making a list of harmful additives you might want to stay away from.

If you want to take the necessary steps in ensuring that you live a healthier lifestyle, look up the list of e-numbers in food and drinks. You might see a couple of red flags indicating that it’s not as healthy as you thought it is. Ask yourself if it’s worth whatever disease you might gain in the future. If you don’t want tomorrow to be bleak, take these necessarily steps today.

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E-number guide

Posted on June 17, 2010 by rosante

E-numbers are another word for food additives

E-numbers represent food additives. The food adiitives are used by the food industry in the manufacture of almost all food products.The European Union (or the European Economic Forum EEC) have formulated the e-number definitions and they are widly accepted as the standard and has been adopted by the food industry worldwide.

E-numbers are reference numbers used by the European Union to facilitate the identification of food additives.

E-numbers are only used for substances added directly to food products, so contaminants, enzymes and processing aids, which may be classified as additives in the USA, are not included in the E-number system.

There is an EU directive on food labeling which requires food additives to be listed in the product ingredients whenever they are added for technological purposes. This includes coloring, sweetening and favor enhancement as well as for preservation, thickening, emulsifying and the like. Ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight, which means that are generally found close to the end of the list of ingredients.

However, substances used in the protection of plants and plant products, flavorings and substances added as nutrients (e.g., minerals, trace elements or vitamins) do not need to be included in the ingredient list. Because of this, some substances that are regulated as food additives in other countries may be exempt from the food additive definition in the EU.

Additives are regulated by the positive list in some countries

The first positive (which additives used in foods) was established in Denmark in 1973. The general rule of approved additives is that they only be used if they can not be avoided. But since the rules can be interpreted differently, then they will be too. What colors are concerned, the rules fairly, while other drugs are a constant source of discussion. Additives can be used in several ways – the sensible way, that is for the purpose they are intended, and the more problematic when additives are used to manipulate the food they are used in.

Additives have a number and a name

With the number it is believed that the EU has granted the substance as such. E 500th The numbering has been prepared by the EU, but is used also by other countries like. Norway and Iceland. These have to meet the directives’ provisions as a result of their economic cooperation with the EU.

Worldwide, it also decided to use the numbering, but without E front. In countires like Denmark they continue to govern certain additives that are exempt from food additive directives’ provisions by means of the Positive List. These are also described here, only without an E in front.

The names which substances have been awarded are the official names, as shown by the Danish positive, and also the name to be declared if the manufacturer chooses to declare the name. Some additives have also synonymous names, and they are also included here, but the synonym names must not be used, for example.

Declarations

If you belong to those who think that E numbers seem incomprehensible, and it seems like producers are trying to hide something by not indicate substances by their proper name – it’s here you get to help “decode” E numbers. E numbers are actually a help to you as a consumer. Here you can turn E 473 up and see that it is sucrose esters of fatty acids, and find an explanation for what it really means and what it used to.

Get more information about E-numbers

Here you will find the complete list of all permitted food additives, and a detailed description of them. Today, almost everything bought for money, but the increasing availability of food, and hence increased competition in terms of appearance, durability and style has also led to an increase in the use of additives.

Want to know what is really meant by it is stated on the declaration and what it means for you and your health, so this is where you get information about the additives.

Description of E numbers

Here you get a description of all permitted food additives, known as E numbers. Also gives a detailed explanation of their effect and in what quantities use is permitted. Ecology does not mean that there may be used additives in greater or lesser degree. During additives and ecology, you can see which additives and processing aids known is approved for organic food.

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