Kids Health & Nutrition
December 17, 2022
Health warnings and technical terms for food ingredients present in food products
I took the plunge into ingredient lists of the food products and collected some deeply hidden information for the consumers.
All supermarkets have a good assortment of food products sourced from Indian and international markets, with appealing packaging promoting healthy food and using buzzwords like sugar-free, low fat, cholesterol-free, low salt, weight loss snacks, and so on. As a result, be aware of packaged food items, as companies may use unapproved local preservatives, resulting in a host of health problems. In addition, there are several “Trade Secrets” that firms do not disclose in their ingredient lists. Examples include the FDA, the FSSAI, and other government agencies. Other private organizations also give firms this kind of flexibility.
A variety of hidden preservatives can be found in foods like ice cream, pizza, spaghetti, tinned meals, and preserved foods.
Some of the preservatives are:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) — HFCS (High-Fructose Corn Syrup Sugar) is a corn-based sugar. From type 2 diabetes and weight gain to metabolic syndrome, the substance has been associated with a variety of lifestyle disorders. HFCS is present in a variety of foods, including applesauce, soda, and ketchup.
- Castoreum — Despite its reputation as a “natural” ingredient, castoreum is manufactured from beaver castor sacs (also known as anal scent glands) and is the last thing you’d expect to see in a dessert. Castoreum was discovered in drinks, baked foods, ice cream, sweets, and, most notably, chewing gum.
- Propylene Glycol — Propylene glycol is a common ingredient in acrylic architectural paints. It’s used in food to help keep moisture in goods like ice creams, and it’s considered safe by the FDA. Propylene glycol is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless synthetic liquid that belongs to the same chemical family as alcohol. It should not be confused with ethylene glycol, which is a hazardous chemical. The maximum amount of propylene glycol allowed in the final product is 1g/kg; if this amount is exceeded, it might cause neurological illnesses, affect the liver and kidneys and cause skin allergies.
- Potassium Bromate —The addition of potassium bromate to flour causes the bread to rise higher and have a fluffier texture. Potassium bromate has been banned by the FSSAI [Food Safety Standards Authority of India] after a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) established that its presence in bread causes cancer. Potassium bromate, according to the Centre for Science and Environment, is still present in numerous products, including bread, pizza and ready-to-eat pizza, and burger buns, even if it isn’t listed on the label.
- Butane (TBHQ)- It’s a preservative used in fish products, microwave popcorn, and chicken nuggets to prevent or delay oxidation. It can also be found in buttercups, candies, pet food, cosmetics, lacquers, varnish, and other products. These are essentially added to candies to reduce costs and extend shelf life. According to some studies, too much TBHQ can be toxic to children’s immune systems.
As a result, while browsing the items, make an informed decision and keep an eagle watch on the ingredient list.
