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Avoiding Additives and Pre-Empting Preservatives: The A's & B's of Unnatural Health Hazards
12/13/2007
As time steadily marches on into the Holiday Season, SMGN needs to remind readers of the rudiments of health. Did you know that the average person consumes more than four pounds of food additives each year? Indeed, as the month of December is filled with any number of soirees, office parties and miscellaneous opportunities to indulge, SMGN would sincerely plead that companies offer healthier fare at their annual celebrations and that consumers make educated decisions as to what goes into their mouths, a goal more easily accomplished when progresive grocers take a leading part.
At face value, additives and preservatives do serve a purpose, from stretching out the shelf-life of given products to adding nutrients that either do not naturally occur or are stripped during processing. Even so, consumers should not assume that additives--even natural ones--are always safe. Natural Health along with several other popular sources have noted that food manufacturers used coumarin, an additive from the tonka bean, as a flavoring for close to 75 years before they discovered that it caused liver damage.
So, how do either you, the distributor, or you, the consumer protect yourself from unhealthy additives in the foods you offer to the public or consume personally?
The solution is quite simple…read the packaging labels and know what is in your food. Following are four of the chief offenders, according to Natural Health, that are common yet stand to be avoided:
- Acacia Gum (a.k.a. Gum Arabic). This item, a thickening agent, is most commonly found in chewing gum, chewy and hard candies, and frostings. Possible adverse effects are mild to severe asthma attacks and rashes. The substance may cause abnormal embryo development. Those at highest risk are people who have asthma or allergies, as well as women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Alginic Acid (a.k.a. Algin gum. Similar compounds, with the same possible adverse effects, are ammonium alginate, sodium alginate, and propylene glycol alginate.) Prime product sources are alginates, used to maintain the texture of packaged foods and drinks. It often appears in beverages, cheeses and cheese spreads, frozen custards, fruit sherbet, ice cream, ice milk, icings, and salad dressings. Possible adverse effects are reproductive problems and birth defects; maternal and fetal deaths have been documented in laboratory animals. At highest risk, again, are women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing.
- Benzoic Acid (a.k.a. sodium benzoate, the salt of benzoic acid, has the same possible adverse effects as above.) Prime Product Sources are baked goods, barbecue sauce, beer, candy, chewing gum, fruit juices, ice cream, icings, jams, jellies, maraschino cherries, margarine, pickles, and soft drinks. Possible adverse effects are gastrointestinal irritation, asthma attacks, rashes, itching, and irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes, especially in people allergic to aspirin. Children may also be plagues with neurological disorders and hyperactivity. Increases the liver's workload if consumed with the amino acid glycine, found in protein-rich foods, dietary supplements, and antacids. Those at highest risk: People sensitive to aspirin. Children. Anyone with liver ailments should consult a physician before consuming products containing benzoic acid.
- BHA AND BHT (a.k.a. butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene) Prime Product Sources are baked goods, beverages, breakfast cereals, candy, chewing gum, dry mixes for desserts and beverages, enriched rice, freeze-dried meats, gelatin, ice cream, instant potato flakes, lard, shortenings, soup bases, and unsmoked dry sausage. Possible Adverse Effects include elevated cholesterol, allergic reactions (like asthma), liver damage, kidney damage, infertility, behavioral problems, vitamin D deficiency, a weakened immune system, and increased susceptibility to cancer-causing substances.
Are you surprised at all this, Mr. or Ms. Grocer? We at SMGN believe that you care about your customers' health. If they live longer, they will shop longer. If you show them you care you will likely receive reciprocal loyalty and appreciation. So why not make a conscious decision to screen for healthy ingredients as you work with your purchase managers directly, rather than waiting for consumer health lobbies to name you as defendants in class action cases?
With regard to litigation, you have them as a momentary protection, but if you are unaware, then you should be alarmed at the frequency in which these irritants appear in retail food that has been approved for consumption by the FDA and/or the USDA. They have not "slipped under the radar" by any means -- they are simply not considered hazardous enough to human health to ban, for now. In other words, our governing bodies have up until now made the collective determination that the benefits (food longevity and freshness, etc.) outweigh the potential risks.
This may change as the green market continues to emerge. We at SMGN certainly advise that suppliers, retail outlets and restaurateurs offer organic alternatives with fewer additives and preservatives as often as possible. Those who say "caveat emptor" lack vision of community. It is a very short sighted attitude. Naturally, you will warn your customers to read the labels before preparing and serving food items which eaten over time could be devastating, should you decide to offer them.
"Season’s Eatings" and a Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year to all our readers from SuperMarket Green News.
Lisa Carvin , Freelance Reporter