Thursday, Dec 20 2007

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Chemical Ingredients Of Food Products (Part 1)

By Mumtaz Khalid Ismail

More Links Artificial sweeteners Stabilisers Whipping agents Chelating agents

Do we realise the amount of chemical we consume every day with out our knowledge? The movement we started taking factory made food inadvertently we consume various chemicals almost every meal. These chemical are used in food as antioxidants, chelating agents, emulsifiers, flavouring agents, thickening agents, colouring agents etc. These chemicals may be safe, harmful, some others are harmful but only in large quantity, and where as some of them enhance the nutritional value of the food.

• Acesulfame K: used in baked goods, chewing gum, gelatine desserts, and soft drinks. In experimental animals the bye product of it in large dose is found to effect the thyroid gland. Human data is not available.
• Aspartame: this calorie watcher's popular sweetener is used in soft drinks, drink mixes, gelatine desserts, low-calorie frozen desserts, puddings, yoghurt, chewing gum, and also sold as such in different brand names. Allergic reaction and migraine headache are the rare adverse effects.
• Corn syrup: this low nutritious syrup is used in candy, toppings, syrups, snack foods, imitation dairy foods etc. This is derived from dextrose and cornstarch.
• Cyclamate: This artificial sweetener is used in diet food since it is low in calories. Even though it directly does not cause any cancer it increase the potency of carcinogen.
• Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate: This low calorie sweetener is used in diet foods. Significant intake of this chemical can cause intestinal gas and diarrhoea.
• Invert sugar: This is used mainly in candy and soft drinks. This increases the risk of tooth decay.
• Maltitol: It is used in low calorie foods. It is found to increase flatulence.
• Mannitol:- Mannitol is used in low calorie food items and chewing gum. It is safe except when consumed in large quantity. In large quantity it produce diarrhoea.
• Saccharin: This popular low calorie sweetener is used in low calorie products such as fruit juices, drinks, carbonated beverages, canned fruits, fruit butters, jellies etc. It is safe provided it is taken in moderation even though it is known to cause cancer in experimental animals.
• Sorbitol: This sweetener is used in low calorie drinks and foods, candy, shredded coconut, and chewing gum. Moderate amounts of sorbitol may have a strong laxative effect and even cause diarrhoea, but otherwise it is safe.
• Sucralose: This is used in low calorie food products. Presently it is considered as safe but detail evaluation is required.

• Alginate: used in ice cream, cheese, candy, and yoghurt. It is safe for human consumption.
• Carrageenan: used in ice cream, jelly, chocolate milk, infant formula, puddings, milkshakes etc. Food additive quantity of this chemical is safe for human being.
• Gelatine: It is used in powdered dessert mixes, yoghurt, ice cream, cheese spreads, beverages. Gelatine is harmless.
• Gum: Gum is used in beverages, ice cream, frozen pudding, salad dressing, dough, candy, drink mixes, cheese, including processed cheese, jelly etc. It is a natural substance and safe.
• Methylcellulose: It is used in fruit butters, ice cream, beer, pie fillings, icings, diet foods, candy and jellies. This does not have any adverse effect on human being.
• Pectin: It is used in canned fruit, fruit butters, and jellies. It is considered safe for human consumption.
• Potassium Bromate: This flour improver is used in bread and rolls. Consumption of this increases the incidence of cancer.
• Starch: This is used in soups and gravy. It is safe.

• Calcium stearoyl lactylate: It is used as whipping agent in dried, liquid, or frozen egg whites and artificial whipped cream. It is also used as dough conditioner in bread dough, cake fillings etc. It is comparatively safe.
• Sodium stearoyl lactylate: It is also safe and used in place of calcium stearoyl lactate.

• EDTA: It is used in salad dressing, margarine, sandwich spreads, mayonnaise, processed fruits and vegetables, canned shellfish, soft drinks etc. This is essentially safe for human being.
• Phosphates (Iron, sodium, calcium or ammonium): It is also used as buffer, emulsifier, nutrient, and discoloration inhibitor. Phosphates are used in bakery products, cheese, powdered foods, cured meat, breakfast cereals, and dehydrated potatoes. Even though consumption in large quantity may cause osteoporosis, it is considered safe in small quantity.

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