This is a comprehensive list of the additives in food that have very real concerns to the health of the consumer. Some people experience many more problems than others but we should all try to minimize our toxic load.

Number Names Function Reported Effects Typical Uses C17 Aldehyde Flavouring Skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset Cherry-flavoured ice-cream, dye   Azo Dyes Colouring Skin contact can cause cancer; allergic reactions Foods and beverages   Hydroquinone Antioxidant Nausea; vomiting; delirium; collapse; liver toxin; mutagen Fats and oils.   Methylene chloride Fragrance CNS poison; drowsiness; nausea, birth defects, cancer. Tablet coatings, vitamins.   Neotame – similar to aspartame 951 Sweetener Treat with extreme caution – more research needed Artificial sweetener.   SLS – Sodium Lauryl Sulphate Surfactant Liver toxin; heart, liver, lung, brain, thymus gland and immune system damage; headache; cough; nausea; vomiting. Cake mix, dried egg products.   Sulphites Preservative Causes asthma; anaphylactic shock; skin rashes; stomach irritation; swelling Dried fruit, beer, cider, fruit juice, wine gelatine, pickles, soft drink, low joule jam, desiccated coconut, vinegar. 102 E102 Tartrazine FD&C yellow 5/coal tar dye (banned from foods in Norway & Finland) Colouring Hyperactivity; thyroid; tumours; aggression; headache; migraine; nettle rash; hay fever; asthma; insomnia; itching; blurred vision; confusion; swelling of lips and tongue; tingling of the mouth; cancer Confectionery, sweet corn, canned peas, cheese crackers, soft drink, mint sauce, mint jelly, fruit juice cordial, Marzipan, pickles, brown sauce, packet dessert topping, jam, cereal, packaged soup 104/E104 Quinoline Yellow (azo dye) Colouring Asthma; hyperactivity; contact dermatitis, skin rashes; cancer; allergic reactions in aspirin- sensitive people Cosmetic dye, lipstick, hair care products, cologne E107 Yellow 2G (azo dye) Colouring Asthma; hyperactivity; contact dermatitis, skin rashes; cancer; allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people Soft drink 110/E110 Sunset Yellow FCF (yellow 6) Colouring Asthma; hyperactivity; cancer; allergic reactions in aspirin- sensitive people (nettle rash, gastric upset, swelling of the skin, vomiting);hives; hay fever; abdominal pain Fruit juice cordial, hot chocolate mix, cereal, Marzipan, ice cream, packet soup, canned fish, confectionery 123/E123 to 129/E129 Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Erythrosine, Red 2G, Allura Red Colouring Cancer; asthma; hyperactivity; allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people (nettle rash); malignant tumours, hay fever; cancer; anaemia; urticaria Packet cake mix, packet trifle mix, jelly crystals. Cereal, soft drink, lipstick, rouge, dessert topping, biscuits, glace cherries, maraschino cherries, canned red cherries, scotch eggs, canned strawberries, meat products, choc biscuits 132/E132 Indigotine(FD&C blue 2) Coal tar dye Colouring Asthma; hyperactivity, cancer, allergic reactions in chemically sensitive people Blancmange mix, biscuits, ice cream, confectionery, baked goods 133/E133 Brilliant Blue FCF (FD&C blue 1) Colouring Cancer, malignant tumours, allergic reactions in chemical-sensitive people; asthma; hyperactivity Canned processed peas, soft drink, dairy products, gelatine, desserts, cereal, toothpaste, cosmetics, deodorant 151/E151 Brilliant Black (azo dye) Colouring Asthma, hyperactivity, cancer Blackcurrant cheese-cake mix, brown sauce E154 Brown FK ( kipper brown, food brown) Colouring Genetic mutation; asthma; hyperactivity; cancer; skin rashes Kippers, smoked and cured fish 155/E155 Brown HT (chocolate brown HT) (coal tar & azo dye) Colouring Allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people and asthmatics; hyperactivity; cancer Chocolate cake mix, chocolate biscuits 220/E220 Sulphur Dioxide Preservative Asthma; hyperactivity; headache; gastric irritation; nausea; liver toxin; backache; bronchitis; destroys vitamin B in food See sulphur dioxide (220). Also fresh containerised orange juice, uncooked prawns and shrimps 249/E249 to 252/E252 Potassium Nitrite; Sodium Nitrite; Potassium Nitrate; Sodium Nitrate Preservative Asthma, cancer, breathing difficulties, dizziness; headache Corned, cured, pickled, manufactured and pressed meat, prosciutto ham, uncooked fermented manufactured meat, E284 Boric Acid Preservative Bleaching Agent Suspected of being a neurotoxin; poisonings have occurred after ingestion or topical application to abraded skin, kidney damage Foods, cosmetics, soap, pharmaceuticals 320/E320 321/E321 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (coal tar dye and petroleum derivative) Antioxidant Preservative Asthma; Cancer; skin blistering; dermatitis; hyperactivity; extreme weakness; fatigue; skin & eye irritation; allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive people Instant mashed potato, edible oil, reduced fat spread, margarine, chewing gum, polyethylene film food wrap, baby oil, baby lotion, lipstick, eyeliner, shaving cream 407/E407 407a Carrageenan (Irish Moss) (often contains MSG) Processed Eucheuma Seaweed Thickener Vegetable Gum Asthma; cancer; ulcerative colitis; skin rashes; colon ulcers; do not give to babies or young children Ice cream, dessert mix, confectionery, pastries, biscuits, thickened cream 533 E533b Talc Anti-caking agent Cancers (stomach & ovarian); respiratory problems Chocolate, polished rice, confectionery 620/E620 L-Glutamic Acid (glutamic adic) Flavour enhancer Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; Huntington’s disease Low-sodium salt substitutes 621/E621 Monosodium L-Glutamate (MSG) Flavour enhancer Asthma; hyperactivity; depression; irritability; mood changes; male and female infertility; celiac disease; abdominal discomfort; nausea; convulsions; headache; migraine Packet soup, quick soup, malt extract; flavoured noodles, sauce, soy sauce’ gelatine’ plus hidden sources of MSG including cosmetics, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner 622/E622 Monopotassium L-glutamate Flavour enhancer Asthma; headache; vomiting, nausea; may cause problems in people with poor kidney function Low-sodium salt substitute 951/E951 Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Spoonful, Equal, Equal Measure) (derived from phenylalanine, aspartic adic and methanol, it accounts for over 75% of adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA) Sweetener FOUND IN OVER 5,000 PRODUCTS. Cancer; asthma; hyperactivity; fatigue; headache; anxiety; MS-like symptoms; migraine; depression; insomnia, irritability; impotence; dizziness; memory loss; Alzheimer’s disease; epilepsy; diabetes; Parkinson’s disease; blindness; neuralgia; seizures; plus at least 80 others Artificial sweeteners, diet drinks, low-joule foods, low-joule gum, confectionery, brewed soft drinks, anything which is “sugar free” or “without added sugar” (used in over 5,000 products) 952/E952 Cyclamates, Cyclamic acid (banned in many countries incl. USA, England, Canada, India and Sweden) Sweetener Cancer; various skin conditions; migraine; it should be avoided by those with circulation, heart or liver problems Artificially sweetened canned fruit, brewed soft drinks, low-joule foods 954/E954 Saccharin, Calcium Saccharin, Sodium Saccharin Sweetener Headache; urticaria; cancer; shrunken testicles, lowered testosterone levels; mutagen Artificial sweetener, fruit juice, low-joule foods, brewed soft drink, chewing gum, toothpaste, lipstick 1520 Propylene Glycol (propanediol) (used industrially in anti-freeze and brake fluid) Humectant Kidney damage; liver abnormalities; liver toxin; central nervous system depression; neurotoxin, contact dermatitis. Confectionery, sweetened coconut. Flavouring essences.