Does your child’s diet consist of Sodium Stearoyl-2-lactylate, Butylated hydroxyanisole, artificial colour, synthetic fats, trans fats and Sodium Metabisulphite ?

No ?  Well, think again!  Those are some of the ingredients in popular biscuit brands that we all think are safe to eat in any amounts! 

Consider this list:

Enriched Flour Bleached (Wheat Flour), invert syrup,  Sugar, Baking Soda, Salt, Partially Hydrogenated edible vegetable oil , Leavening agents (503 ii) , Emusifiers (322 or 471 and 481 i ) dough conditioners (223) added artificial Flavors, TBHO, antioxidant BHA (E320).

The next time you buy any popular brand of biscuits that children love to eat, pay attention to the ingredient list.  The above is the list of ingredients and additives added to biscuits.   Up to 41 additives are added to biscuits and other baked products !  And are they all safe ? If so , in what amounts ?

Although there are a large number of substances that have been “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS substances, by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which regulates additives through the PFA (prevention of food adulteration ) Act, the big question now is given the high amount of consumption by small children and adults alike, in what amounts are they safe ?  In other developed countries including Denmark, Australia , US and Canada, many substances have already been banned due to the toxicity, but are still permitted for use in India.

Given below is the health impact of some of the ingredients listed above. 

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil – Is another term for “trans fat” , synthetically derived solid fats.  They increase cholesterol levels , and can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease many folds.

E471 Mono and Diglycerides of Fatty Acid Fatty acids prepared synthetically, are usually added to biscuits, powdered milk, packet soup, cake, crisps, and potato snacks, bread and baked products and margarine.  The body digests this just as fats, but those with high triglyceride levels or high cholesterol levels should be avoiding this. 

E481 Sodium Stearoyl-2-lactylate Prepared synthetically from Lactic Acid, used as a stabiliser and emulsifier and banned in European Union.  Higher levels produced growth retardation and liver damage in rats, is known to cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. 

E223 - Sodium metabisulfite: Typical products include preserved fruit and vegetables, pickles, fruit juice, frozen vegetables, frozen shellfish, dried fruits, fruit deserts. The HACSG (Hyperactive Childrens Support Group ) recommends to avoid it. Other than causing hyperactivity in children, they can cause gastric irritation, reduction of Vitamins B and E, Food aversion, Skin reactions, Asthma.

 E503 - Ammonium carbonates: Produced from ammonium sulphate and calcium carbonate, natural minerals.  These are irritant to mucous membranes, alters pH of urine and may cause loss of calcium and magnesium. Used in some medications, baked goods, baking powder, cocoa items confectionary, ice cream.  It is not permitted for use in Australia and New Zealand, but widely used in India !

E320 - Butylated hydroxyanisole: The MOST widely used additive in products such as cooking oils, fats, baked goods, breakfast cereals such as Kellogs, Quaker Oats, Corn flakes , fish products, low fat foods and in packaging materials in combination with other antioxidants such as BHA, propyl gallate, and citric acid for the stabilization of oils and high-fat foods.

The World Health Organisation has termed it as “carcinogenic” . Serious concerns about carcinogenic and estrogenic effects, asthmatics and aspirin sensitive people should avoid, causes metabolic changes and accumulates in body fat. It is banned for use in food in Japan, Romania, Sweden, and Australia. The US has barred it only from infant foods.

These are only some of the ingredients we consume on a daily basis .  When you combine this with other packaged and processed foods we eat everyday, the amount of toxins getting into our system is mindboggling.

What can you do?

Avoid !  The less frequently they are consumed, the better !  Use fresh ingredients, bake at home using natural fats and eat wholesome home cooked foods.  Children especially need to be educated regarding the toxic effects of their favourite packaged foods  and encouraged to eat home made fresh food.