Designation of additives e in products. Are additives in food harmful? The most dangerous food additives

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What are food additives? These are various preservatives, leavening agents, thickeners that improve the aroma and taste of the finished product.

Additives are:

Natural – from plants; minerals and animal origin
Obtained in the laboratory, but similar in properties to natural ones
Synthetic, man-made, nothing like it exists in nature

At first glance, there is nothing wrong. But the problem is that artificial additives, while improving taste, can be harmful to the body, and no one knows how they will behave, for example, when heated.

Are E additives in food harmful?

E additives

To start decipher all food additives:

If after the letter E there is 1 and then 2 more numbers, this is a dye that gives a beautiful color to the finished product.
Number 2 is a preservative, protects the product from destruction by bacteria and fungi, and extends shelf life.
3 – antioxidant, used to extend shelf life.
4 – stabilizer, responsible for the consistency of the product.
5 – emulsifier, helps the stabilizer maintain the beautiful appearance of the product and its uniform state.
6 – aroma and taste enhancer.
9 – defoaming agent that prevents the formation of foam.
All 4-digit numbers after E are sweeteners.

In order not to harm the body with additives, you need to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits

How not to harm the body with products containing E additives, and they are almost everywhere:

Eating raw vegetables and fruits every day, the fiber and pectins in them can remove toxins from the body.
Do not eat unnatural foods when you are sick; when you are sick, your body is not able to fight like a healthy one.
If you know that a product contains unhealthy additives, do not eat a lot of it.
Avoid buying brightly colored foods.
If you notice late that the product contains a harmful additive, then do not heat it, because when heated, some additives become even more dangerous, for example, aspartame (E 951).

Useful E supplements

Healthy Supplements:

E 100 – curcumin(yellow-orange dye). The supplement is especially useful for people after illness to restore strength, cleanse the body of bad cholesterol, helps with the functioning of the liver, intestines, and weight loss, and is a preventive measure for diabetes, arthritis, and tumors.
E 101 – riboflavin, vitamin B2(yellow dye). The supplement is needed for the breakdown of fat, the absorption of other vitamins and microelements, helps cope with stress, depression, is needed for skin elasticity, and is useful for pregnant women.
E 160a – carotene. Supplements E 160 are close to vitamin A - strong antioxidants. Using supplements: improves vision, prevents the growth of cancerous tumors, strengthens the immune system.
E 160d – lycopene.
E 162 – betanin(red beetroot dye). Needed to participate in the breakdown of proteins, improves liver and blood function, strengthens blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, the risk of heart attack, prevents the development of cancer, helps with radiation exposure.
E 163 – anthocyanins, natural dyes from extract and marc from grape skins, red cabbage juice, blueberries, black currants, elderberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries. Used for coloring cheeses, confectionery products, ice cream.
E 202 – potassium sorbate (sorbic acid). Antimicrobial agent, prevents the growth of mold fungi. The preservative additive is used in the production of sausages, other smoked meats, cheeses, and rye bread.
E 260 – acetic acid. Acid diluted to 6 or 9% is useful for breaking down fat and carbohydrates. It is used in the manufacture of confectionery products, various sauces, and mayonnaise. Acid with a concentration of over 30% is dangerous; even on the skin it can cause burns..
E 296 – malic acid. Helps the liver absorb medications, reduces blood pressure, and has anti-cancer properties. Used in winemaking, pharmacy, and confectionery production.
E 300 – pectin, ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The supplement strengthens the immune system.
E 306-E 307 – tocopherol (vitamins of group E). The supplement removes toxins from the body, increases the vitality of the body, thins the blood, accelerates the healing of wounds, and, without leaving scars, slows down the aging process of the body. With the supplement, the cardiovascular system works better and blood composition improves.
E 322 – lecithin. The supplement improves blood and bile, prevents liver cirrhosis, supports the immune system, and removes bad cholesterol. But the supplement is not suitable for everyone; in some people it can cause stomach and liver diseases. It is used in the production of dairy products, fats, spreads and baked goods.
E 406 – agar. The supplement is obtained from red-brown algae, rich in vitamins PP and microelements, useful for diseases of the thyroid gland, intestines, and removes toxins.
E 440 – pectin, ascorbic acid. A moderate amount of the supplement cleanses the intestines of toxins, protects and heals the intestinal and stomach mucosa, and reduces cholesterol. In large quantities may cause allergies.

Relatively harmless E supplements

Relatively harmless additives:

E 160b – annatto extract (vitamin A), improves vision and immunity, prevents tumors. This additive must be used with caution as it is a strong allergen..
E 170 – calcium carbonate (chalk). The supplement improves blood clotting, restores calcium deficiency, but overdose can lead to serious illness, which in severe cases ends in death.
E 290 – carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide). Add to drinks. Such drinks will not harm healthy people, but those with gastritis and ulcers should avoid them, as they may cause belching, flatulence, and stomach problems. Frequent consumption of carbonated water flushes calcium from the body.
E 330 – citric acid. As an additive it is harmless, since it is added in small quantities, but in large quantities it can cause irritation in the stomach and respiratory tract, including vomiting blood, and in rare cases provokes cancerous tumors.
E 410 – carob gum(natural supplement). The gum is harmless, enhances the gelling of the finished product, preserves the taste and prevents crystallization. Add to desserts, ice cream, processed cheese, bread and rolls, sauces, pates, canned vegetables and fruits.
E 412 – guar gum.
E 415 – xanthan gum.
E 420 – sorbitol(natural preservative and sweetener). With the help of the supplement, the body's consumption of B vitamins is reduced. Do not use it if you are on a diet, since it is higher in calories than sugar. Excessive consumption may cause bloating, upset, and nausea.
E 471 – monoglyceride and diglyceride of fatty acids(natural supplement). This is a natural emulsifier and stabilizer, does not pose any harm, is absorbed by our body, like all fats, Eating in large quantities can cause obesity. It is added when making pates, margarine, mayonnaise, and yoghurts.
E 500 – sodium carbonate (baking soda). The supplement is safe. Used as a leavening agent in the confectionery industry, and also prevents caking and lump formation in dry products.
E 967 – xylitol(natural sugar substitute). The supplement has a choleretic effect, is a non-carbohydrate sugar substitute, and is prescribed for diabetics. Used in dietary products. Overdose may cause diarrhea and flatulence.

Table of harmful and dangerous food additives for health in food products with explanation

Additives are strong carcinogens and cause skin rashes:

E 131 – patented V(blue). Promotes cancer growth, leads to allergies. Can be found in meat products and drinks.
E 142 – green S. Promotes cancer growth, leads to allergies.
E 153 – black coal grows
E 210 – benzoic acid. Studies have shown that the additive causes cancer, severe allergies, nervousness, and a person becomes hyperactive. Found in juices, drinks, canned meat or vegetables, chips, ketchup.
E 212 – potassium benzoate. Studies have shown that the additive promotes the development of cancer, causes severe allergies, has a bad effect on the nervous system, and makes a person hyperactive. Found in juices, drinks, canned meat and vegetables, chips, ketchup.
E 213 – calcium benzoate. After research, it became known that the additive provokes cancer, causes severe allergies, has a bad effect on the nervous system, and a person becomes hyperactive. Found in canned meat, vegetables, juice, drinks, chips, ketchup.
E 214-E 215 – ethyl ether. It has a bad effect on children, causes cancer and allergies.
E 216 – propyl ether, contributes to poisoning. Unscrupulous business owners add additives to chocolate and candies, canned meat, and dry mixes for soups.
E 219 – methyl ether sodium salt. Promotes poisoning, especially in children, allergies, and cancer. Found in ketchup, mayonnaise, canned fish and caviar.
E 230 – biphenyl, biphenyl. Promotes allergies, skin diseases, cancer growth, and has a bad effect on children.
E 240 – formaldehyde. Poisons like arsenic and hydrocyanic acid are deadly and toxic. Causes diseases: cancer, allergies, skin inflammation, has a bad effect on children. It is also found in sausage products, drinks, and sweets.
E 249 – potassium nitrite. Causes cancer and has a bad effect on children. Found in smoked meats.
E 280 – propionic acid. Causes cancer and has a bad effect on children. Found in dairy products, sauces, and bread.
E 281-E 283 – sodium, calcium, potassium propionate. It provokes cancer, migraines and vascular spasms, and has a bad effect on children. Found in dairy and bread products, sauces.
E 310 – drank gallate. Causes skin rashes.
E 950 – acesulfame potassium Artificial substitutes have more calories than sugar, and they cause appetite, so you won’t be able to lose weight on them.
E 952 – sodium cyclamate(artificial sugar substitute). Contraindicated for people suffering from kidney disease.
E 954 – saccharin(artificial sugar substitute). Do not consume on an empty stomach. Constant consumption of saccharin can cause cholelithiasis, and large amounts can cause cancer.
E 957 – thaumatin(artificial sugar substitute).
E 965 – maltitol(artificial sugar substitute).
E 968 – erythritol(artificial sugar substitute).

There may be E additives here

Some supplements cause skin rashes

Additives that cause stomach upset:

E 338 – orthophosphoric acid and its derivatives provoke diseases of the intestines and stomach.
E 339, E 340, E 341 - sodium, potassium, calcium orthophosphate.
E 343 – magnesium orthophosphate. It provokes disorders in the intestines and stomach.
E 450 – pyrophosphate. It provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines. Used in the production of processed cheese and other dairy products, canned meat.
E 461 – methylcellulose. It provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines, negatively affects the children's body.
E 462 – ethylcellulose
E 463 - hydroxypropyl cellulose. Causes stomach ailments.
E 465 – ethyl methylcellulose. Causes stomach ailments.
E 466 - carboxymethyl cellulose. It provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines. It is used in the production of cheeses and other dairy products, mayonnaise, ice cream, sweet products.

E supplements that provoke indigestion

Additives Causing Skin Diseases:

E 151 – black shiny BN(synthetic black dye). Causes diseases of the stomach, skin, allergies. Banned in many countries. It can be found in dairy products, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, seasonings, sauces, confectionery, ice cream, drinks.
E 160d – red lycopene.
E 231 – orthophenylphenol. Promotes allergies, skin diseases, cancer growth, bad effect on children.
E 232 - calcium orthophenylphenol. Causes allergies, skin diseases, promotes the growth of cancer, badly affects children.
E 239 – urotropine. Promotes allergies, skin diseases, cancer growth, and has a bad effect on children. Found in cheeses and canned caviar.
E 311 – octyl gallate. Provokes allergies, stomach diseases, nervousness and skin diseases.
E 312 – dodecyl gallate. Provokes allergies, stomach and skin diseases, nervousness.
E 320 – butylated hydroxyanisole. Increases the amount of bad cholesterol in the body, provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines, liver, kidneys, skin. It is used to slow down oxidative processes in fatty mixtures, meat, chewing gum.
E 907 – poly 1 decene hydrogenated. Promotes skin irritation and rash.
E 951 – aspartame(artificial sugar substitute). Frequent use leads to a deficiency of serotonin in the brain, the development of depression, panic, elements of violence, and convulsions. They are used in the production of sweet carbonated drinks (especially imported ones) and chewing gum. Contraindicated in patients with phenylketonuria. When heated, unexpected reactions occur and death may occur.
E 1105 – lysozyme.

E supplements that cause skin rashes

There may be harmful additives E

Supplements that cause intestinal upset:

E 154 – brown. Promotes cancer, disorders, allergies. Particularly dangerous for children. Found in confectionery, drinks, cheese, chips, smoked sausages and fish.
E 626 – guanylic acid
E 627 – sodium guanylate. Promotes intestinal disorders.
E 628, E 629 – potassium, calcium guanylate. Promotes diarrhea.
E 630 – inisinic acid. Promotes intestinal disorders.
E 631 – sodium inisinate. Promotes intestinal disorders.
E 632, E 633 – potassium, calcium inisinate. Promotes diarrhea.
E 634, E 635 – calcium, sodium ribunucleotides. Promotes intestinal disorders.

There may be E supplements leading to intestinal disorders

Supplements That Increase Blood Pressure:

E 154 – brown. Promotes cancer, stomach disease, allergies. Particularly dangerous for children. Found in confectionery, drinks, cheese, chips, smoked sausages and fish.
E 250 – sodium nitrite
E 252 – potassium nitrate. The additive has an irritating effect, especially in children, interferes with the absorption of vitamins, causes oxygen starvation, food poisoning and cancer. It can be found when smoking meat, sausages, fish, bacon, in the production of ham, sausages.

There are E supplements that increase blood pressure

Additives that are harmful to children's bodies:

E 270 – lactic acid. The additive is a strong antioxidant, found in fermented milk drinks, sauerkraut, and pickles. Lactic acid improves intestinal flora, carbohydrate absorption, and adds energy to the body. Used in the manufacture of medicines, cheeses, yoghurts, mayonnaise. Give small children foods containing the additive carefully and little by little, since intolerance to it is common.

Attention. Children under 5 years old should not consume products even with the safest additives.

Children should be given foods with E additives carefully so as not to cause harm.

Dangerous additives (many countries have banned their use in food; they are used in Russia and Ukraine), their effect has not yet been fully studied:

E 101a, E 106 – sodium salt, sodium phosphate. The additive causes allergies, impairs vision, and kidney disease. Found in dry baby food, dairy products, sweet products, and drinks.
E 102 – tartrazine. Causes asthma, food allergies, migraines, and vision impairment. It is added to sweets, confectionery, drinks and ice cream.
E 103 – alkanine. Provokes the manifestation of cancer. Found in a pastry shop.
E 105 – durable AB. The additive promotes the growth of malignant tumors and is toxic. Can be found in confectionery and drinks.
E 110 – yellow “Sunset” FCF. A very dangerous additive, carcinogenic, causes nausea and allergies. Particularly dangerous for children. Can be found in dairy products, crackers, sauces, seasonings, canned food, and sweet products.
E 111 – alpha-naphthol. The additive is carcinogenic.
E 120 – carminic acid. The danger is medium. Causes allergies. Used in sausages, yogurt and other dairy products, drinks, candies and sauces.
E 121 – citrus 2 red. The additive promotes cancer and is very toxic. Can be found on the packaging of ice cream, candies, drinks, and on the skins of oranges.
E 124 – red Ponceau 4R. The additive is a carcinogen and causes allergies.
E 125 – Ponceau red
E 126 – red 6R ponceau. Promotes the development of cancer. Dangerous.
E 127 – red erythrosine. Dangerous due to allergies, especially in children.
E 129 – charming AC. Carcinogenic.
E 130 – indanthren RS. Leads to the growth of cancer cells, stomach diseases, and negatively affects children.
E 143 – durable FCF. Promotes cancer growth. It is found in canned food, vegetables and fruits, sauces and seasonings, ice cream, and sweet products.
E 150a, E 150b, E 150c, E 150d – sugar color I-IV. Causes stomach diseases. Found in ice cream, chocolate butter, drinks, sauces, and sweet products.
E 152 – black coal(artificial). Leads to cancer and stomach diseases. Found in cheeses and confectionery.
E 155 – chocolate brown HT. A dangerous additive that provokes allergies in adults and children.
E 180 – ruby lithol VK. Promotes liver diseases and allergies. Dangerous.
E 201 – sodium sorbate. Provokes allergies. Dangerous for children. It is found in cheese, margarine, mayonnaise, dumplings and confectionery, during the processing of vegetable oil.
E 211 – sodium benzoate. The additive leads to cancer, causes severe allergies, nervousness, and the person becomes hyperactive. Found in juices, drinks, canned meat and vegetables, chips, ketchup.
E 221 – sodium sulfite(preservative). Promotes stomach diseases, allergies, irritation in the respiratory tract, especially dangerous for children. Used to disinfect boxes.
E 222 – sodium hydrosulfite
E 223 – sodium pyrosulfite. The additive causes severe allergies, asthma, stomach diseases, and if the technology for preparing products containing the additive is violated, death. It is found in canned fruits, breakfast cereals, tomatoes, wines, and is used in the processing of dried fruits.
E 224 – potassium pyrosulfite. The additive causes severe allergies, asthma, stomach diseases, and if the preparation technology of the product containing the additive is violated, death. It is found in canned fruit, breakfast cereals, tomato, wine, and is used in the storage of dried fruits.
E 228 – potassium hydrosulfite. The additive causes severe allergies, then asthma, stomach diseases, and if the instructions for preparing products with E-shka are violated, death. It is found in canned fruits, breakfast cereals (mashed potatoes), tomato, wine, and is used in the storage of dried fruits.
E 233 – thiabendazole. Dangerous. It provokes cancer, skin diseases, allergies, and has a bad effect on children. Used to treat vegetables and fruits against mold development.
E 242 – dimethyl dicarbonate. Dangerous, but allowed.
E 251 – sodium nitrate. Used as a dye, preservative and seasoning. It irritates the nervous system, especially in children, interferes with the absorption of vitamins, causes oxygen starvation, food poisoning and cancer. Used for smoking bacon, meat and fish, in the manufacture of ham, sausages, sausages.
E 321– butyl hydroxytoluene. It provokes diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, allergies, increases bad cholesterol. It is used in the production of spreads, canned fish, and beer.
E 400 – alginic acid. Very dangerous.
E 401 – sodium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 402 – potassium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 403 – ammonium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 404 – calcium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 405 – propane 1,2 diol alginate. Very dangerous.
E 407 – carrageenan. Causes stomach and intestinal diseases. Used in the production of sausages, dairy products, ice cream, and sweet products.
E 501 – potassium carbonate. Very dangerous.
E 503 – ammonium carbonate. Very dangerous.
E 620 – glutamic acid. Causes allergies, especially dangerous for children.
E 636 – maltol. Very dangerous.
E 952 – cyclamic acid, salt. Highly toxic. It is used in the production of ice cream, dietary products, sweets and chewing gum.

Types of E additives

Additives prohibited in Russia.

About 200 types of harmful additives are banned in Russia, many of them are listed in this article.

Supplements, poorly studied, suspicious:

E 104 – quinoline(yellow and yellow-green). Causes allergies and intestinal diseases, especially in children. It is used for smoking fish, making drinks, sweets, and chewing gum.
E 122 – carmoisine, azorubine. A very dangerous additive that causes allergies and stomach diseases. Used in drinks and sweet products.
E 141 – green(synthetic dye). Causes stomach diseases. Found in dairy products.
E 173 – aluminum metallic. Promotes liver diseases.
E 241 – guaiac resin. Causes stomach ailments.
E 477 – propane diol fatty acid esters.

E additives

The most harmful food additives in foods, bread, sausage, chocolate, dried fruits: list, codes

Very dangerous additives that stimulate the growth of cancer cells are banned throughout the world, but are still sometimes used by unscrupulous industrialists:

E 123 – amaranth. The additive causes various pathologies in an unborn child, in adults - liver disease, kidney disease, skin rashes, chronic runny nose. Found in dry mixes for desserts, jellies, muffins and puddings, and ice cream.
E 510 – ammonium chloride, ammonium chloride(confectionery improver). Very dangerous, but allowed. Causes upset, liver disease. Used in the production of yeast, flour, seasonings, sweets and dietary products.
E 513 – sulfuric acid. Very dangerous, but allowed. Causes upset, liver disease. Used in the production of yeast and drinks.
E 527 – ammonium hydroxide. Very dangerous, banned in many countries. Causes diarrhea and liver failure. Used if you need to obtain a homogeneous state from non-mixable products - water and oil.

Food additive E 171, E 220, E 250, E 450, E 451, E 452, E 621: harmful or not?

Meat products with E additives

There are different additives, harmful and not so:

E 171 – titanium dioxide. Promotes liver and kidney diseases, especially in children. Found in dry formulas and powdered milk.
E 220 – sulfur dioxide. Dangerous, especially for people with kidney diseases and children, causes stomach diseases, allergies, and irritates the respiratory system. The additive disinfects containers for dried fruits and is also used in the manufacture of canned meat and fruit.
E 250 – sodium nitrite. Used as a dye, preservative and seasoning. The additive has an irritating effect on the nervous system, especially in children, interferes with the absorption of vitamins, causes oxygen starvation, food poisoning and cancer. Used for smoking bacon, meat and fish, and for making ham, sausages and sausages.
E 450 – pyrophosphate. Provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines. Used in the production of processed cheese and other dairy products, canned meat.
E 451 – triphosphate. It provokes inflammation in the stomach, and cancer, and accumulates bad cholesterol. The additive is almost universally used to make sausage, especially boiled sausage, because it retains moisture and the sausage doubles in size.
E 452 – polyphosphate. The additive can seriously harm your health: it accumulates in the body, and then causes allergies, and, together with bad cholesterol, can turn into cancer. It is found in processed cheese, dry and condensed milk, and canned food.
E 621 – monosodium glutamate (sodium salt). This salt occurs naturally in legumes, algae, and living organisms, like protein. If there is a small amount of it in food, it is safe. The danger is the constant consumption of chips, condiments and sauces with additives. This can be expressed in the form of blurred vision, allergies, nervous conditions, headaches, increased heart rate and general weakness.

So, by at least learning about healthy supplements, you will know which products you can buy in the store and which you cannot.

Video: E supplements

Today in supermarkets you can find a huge variety of products, which are quite easy to get confused about. Bright packaging, seductive pictures, shiny labels, plus all this is complemented by promotional price tags, and we make a purchase. Stop, first you need to carefully study the packaging, namely the composition of this product. The fewer different incomprehensible words it contains, the better. For example, GOST condensed milk contains only natural milk and sugar, but the same product, but produced according to specifications, has a completely different composition. It contains stabilizers and emulsifiers, as well as various substances labeled E. Today we will talk about them: everyone should have a table of harmful food additives at hand to prevent their consumption.

What are various nutritional supplements used for?

First of all, you should be wary of the “E” markings - they indicate food additives that are used all over the world as preservatives and stabilizers, flavor enhancers, thickeners and leavening agents. All this is needed to improve the nutritional properties of the product, as well as increase its shelf life.

Why do we need a table of harmful food additives, and are all substances labeled “E” harmful? No, there are neutral, harmful and even dangerous, and therefore it is important for each of us to know them and be able to distinguish them. After all, the quality and duration of our lives greatly depend on what we eat. The more vitamins and minerals in the diet and the less “chemicals”, the better.

Natural or artificial

Despite the assurances of manufacturers, almost all additives are artificial and therefore potentially dangerous. These are chemicals of synthetic origin. Considering that even the safest of them sometimes cause a reaction in particularly sensitive people, it is clear that the table of harmful food additives should be known to everyone. However, there is one more subtlety here: not all manufacturers warn you that their product contains additives with the “E” index. They often make do with general phrases like “does not contain artificial colors or flavors.” Others note the presence of stabilizers and thickeners, but do not indicate which additives were used. In this case, there is only one way out: refuse the purchase and choose a more honest manufacturer. This is especially important if the product is imported, because no one can guarantee that it does not contain prohibited products. Perhaps this will allow you to look differently at the products in supermarkets, because, despite their attractive appearance, almost all of them contain preservatives.

What does the number code next to the letter "E" mean?

Below we will look at what the table of harmful food additives includes, but for now let’s look at what these mysterious numbers mean. If the code starts with one, then you have a dye. All preservatives begin with 2, the number 3 denotes antioxidants - they are used to slow down or prevent spoilage of the product. All 4 are stabilizers, substances that help maintain the consistency of the product in the required form. The number 5 denotes emulsifiers; they work in tandem with stabilizers and preserve the structure of the product. The flavor and aroma enhancers that create the notes and shades we love so much begin with 6. Some products contain special substances that prevent foaming; they are marked with the number 9. If you see a four-digit index, this indicates the presence of sweeteners in the composition. The realities of life show that you need to know harmful food additives ("E"). The table will help you timely identify foods that should not be consumed.

Such different food additives "E"

This labeling may hide completely harmless and even useful substances, for example, plant extracts. This is the well-known acetic acid (E260). Baking soda (E500), or regular chalk (E170) and many others can be considered relatively safe E additives.

However, there are much more harmful substances than beneficial ones. You are mistaken if you think that these include only artificial additives; natural ones also have a negative effect on the body. Moreover, the more often they are used, the stronger and more pronounced their effect will be.

Healthy Supplements

You should not immediately return a product to the shelf just because it contains E. You need to look and analyze what substance is hidden behind it. The table of harmful and beneficial food additives will help you make the right choice. For example, the most common apple contains pectin, ascorbic acid and riboflavin, that is, E300, E440, E101, but it cannot be called harmful.

The most common beneficial supplements are curcumins, or E100 - these substances help control weight and are actively used in the production of fitness products. E101 is a common one that is famous for synthesizing hemoglobin and participating in metabolism. E160d - it helps strengthen the immune system. E270 is a powerful antioxidant that is widely used in pharmacology. To enrich products with iodine, the additive E916, that is, calcium iodate, is used. We can’t forget about lecithin E322 - this supplement supports the immune system and improves hematopoiesis.

Relatively harmless additives

Today the topic of our conversation is “Table of food additives “E”. Useful and harmful, they are ubiquitous in the most common food products. In this group we need to mention the dyes that are used by the most famous confectionery companies to give an attractive appearance to creams and cakes. This is chlorophyrol , or E140, green dye. Also known is betanin, that is, a red dye. It is extracted from the most common beets, the juice of which is an excellent tint for creams at home.

This group includes calcium carbonate (E170) and regular baking soda. Despite the fact that these substances do not pose a threat to life, in large quantities they can disrupt the acid-base balance in the body. E290 is ordinary carbon dioxide; all carbonated drinks are made with it. Every kitchen should have a table of food additives E. Useful and harmful, they are presented in such large quantities today that it is very difficult to remember what a particular substance means.

Additives to Avoid

Today the table contains 11 groups of additives, among which are dangerous, prohibited substances that are harmful to the skin and disrupt blood pressure. Since everyone needs to avoid foods that contain dangerous E's, we'll look at each group separately. You shouldn’t be negligent about your health and rely on the manufacturer. Many of them are guided only by short-term gain and do not think about reputation. Moreover, it is much easier to periodically close production and open it under a different name, releasing products with new labels. This is why you should know the harmful "E" food additives. The table will help you navigate and not forget what this or that code means. So let's get started.

Dangerous additives

This group includes many dyes, so if you see confectionery products colored in, think about whether you should take them to your children. Be sure to study harmful food additives "E": the table is updated periodically, so you need to update the printout, which is best kept next to the kitchen table.

This includes E102, namely tartrazine. It causes asthma attacks and is banned in several countries. E110 is a yellow dye that is banned in many countries because it causes an allergic reaction and nausea. E120 - carminic acid (research has not yet proven harmful, but doctors strongly recommend avoiding it). Red dyes E124, E127 and E129 are banned in a number of countries because they are carcinogenic. This also includes E155 (brown dye) and E180 (ruby rytol).

E220 - sulfur dioxide - should be used with caution in people with kidney failure. Feel free to put aside products containing E220, E222, E223, E224, E228, E233, E242. Recognized as dangerous

Very dangerous

If the previous group of additives is dangerous or potentially dangerous, then representatives of this category should be treated more than carefully. The fact is that the table of additives only gives you codes that hide substances that stimulate the growth of cancer cells. To completely avoid contact with them, you will have to give up most confectionery products and seriously reconsider your view of the diet. The simpler the better, so bran biscuits, cereals and fruit are the safest choices.

However, let's return to our conversation. The table of the most dangerous additives "E" includes dyes such as E123 (amaranth). It is banned all over the world as it causes developmental pathologies in the fetus. In addition, this group includes E510, E513E, E527.

Prohibited substances: table of the most harmful food additives "E"

It should be noted that Russia has very lenient rules for manufacturing companies. Only 5 additives are officially banned, although the number is much higher worldwide. This is E952 - cyclamic acid and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts. This product was discontinued because it was found to be a strong carcinogen. E-216 - para-hydroxybenzoic acid propyl ester - is also prohibited in Russia. But this is not all harmful food additives ("E"). The table includes a number of dyes in this group - these are E152, E130, E125, E126, E121, E111.

Substances that cause skin rashes

Everyone can imagine the effect of carcinogens on the body, so you need to do everything necessary to exclude from the menu products that contain the most harmful food additives. Having a table at hand will help you stop in time and not make an unnecessary purchase. Women should especially think about it, because many conditionally safe supplements cause deterioration of the skin. This is E151 (black, shiny BN) - in a number of countries it is completely prohibited. Second on the list is E231 (orthophenylphenol) and E232 (calcium orthophenylphenol). Aspartame, or E951, a favorite sugar substitute for many, also has a number of side effects and is not recommended for use without special reasons.

Summing up

You may find this table useful every day. A food additive whose harmful effects have not been fully studied should be excluded from the diet. This group includes quite a lot of different “E” - these are E124, E122, E141, E150, E171, E173, E247, E471. To optimize your diet and consume as few synthetic additives as possible, study product packaging before purchasing. The fewer different components and unclear terms there are, the better. Do not purchase unfamiliar products, as well as those whose packaging does not contain ingredients, and give preference to well-known manufacturers.

Avoid products with bright, unnatural colors. They may contain too many dyes and preservatives. Give preference to natural products, grains, fermented milk, as well as vegetables and fruits. This diet is guaranteed to be free of harmful and dangerous substances. To maintain your health for as long as possible, try to avoid products that use harmful food additives ("E") in their production. A table containing the main ones will become your reliable assistant.

After reading this article, you will learn to recognize beneficial and harmful E supplements.

What are food additives? These are various preservatives, leavening agents, thickeners that improve the aroma and taste of the finished product.

Additives are:

Natural – from plants; minerals and animal origin
Obtained in the laboratory, but similar in properties to natural ones
Synthetic, man-made, nothing like it exists in nature

Are E additives in food harmful?

E additives

To start decipher all food additives:

If after the letter E there is 1 and then 2 more numbers, this is a dye that gives a beautiful color to the finished product.
Number 2 is a preservative, protects the product from destruction by bacteria and fungi, and extends shelf life.
3 – antioxidant, used to extend shelf life.
4 – stabilizer, responsible for the consistency of the product.
5 – emulsifier, helps the stabilizer maintain the beautiful appearance of the product and its uniform state.
6 – aroma and taste enhancer.
9 – defoaming agent that prevents the formation of foam.
All 4-digit numbers after E are sweeteners.

In order not to harm the body with additives, you need to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits

How not to harm the body with products containing E additives, and they are almost everywhere:

Eating raw vegetables and fruits every day, the fiber and pectins in them can remove toxins from the body.
Do not eat unnatural foods when you are sick; when you are sick, your body is not able to fight like a healthy one.
If you know that a product contains unhealthy additives, do not eat a lot of it.
Avoid buying brightly colored foods.
If you notice late that the product contains a harmful additive, then do not heat it, because when heated, some additives become even more dangerous, for example, aspartame (E 951).

Useful E supplements

Healthy Supplements:

E 100 – curcumin(yellow-orange dye). The supplement is especially useful for people after illness to restore strength, cleanse the body of bad cholesterol, helps with the functioning of the liver, intestines, and weight loss, and is a preventive measure for diabetes, arthritis, and tumors.
E 101 – riboflavin, vitamin B2(yellow dye). The supplement is needed for the breakdown of fat, the absorption of other vitamins and microelements, helps cope with stress, depression, is needed for skin elasticity, and is useful for pregnant women.
E 160a – carotene. Supplements E 160 are close to vitamin A - strong antioxidants. Using supplements: improves vision, prevents the growth of cancerous tumors, strengthens the immune system.
E 160d – lycopene.
E 162 – betanin(red beetroot dye). Needed to participate in the breakdown of proteins, improves liver and blood function, strengthens blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, the risk of heart attack, prevents the development of cancer, helps with radiation exposure.
E 163 – anthocyanins, natural dyes from extract and marc from grape skins, red cabbage juice, blueberries, black currants, elderberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries. Used for coloring cheeses, confectionery products, ice cream.
E 202 – potassium sorbate (sorbic acid). Antimicrobial agent, prevents the growth of mold fungi. The preservative additive is used in the production of sausages, other smoked meats, cheeses, and rye bread.
E 260 – acetic acid. Acid diluted to 6 or 9% is useful for breaking down fat and carbohydrates. It is used in the manufacture of confectionery products, various sauces, and mayonnaise. Acid with a concentration of over 30% is dangerous; even on the skin it can cause burns..
E 296 – malic acid. Helps the liver absorb medications, reduces blood pressure, and has anti-cancer properties. Used in winemaking, pharmacy, and confectionery production.
E 300 – pectin, ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The supplement strengthens the immune system.
E 306-E 307 – tocopherol (vitamins of group E). The supplement removes toxins from the body, increases the vitality of the body, thins the blood, accelerates the healing of wounds, and, without leaving scars, slows down the aging process of the body. With the supplement, the cardiovascular system works better and blood composition improves.
E 322 – lecithin. The supplement improves blood and bile, prevents liver cirrhosis, supports the immune system, and removes bad cholesterol. But the supplement is not suitable for everyone; in some people it can cause stomach and liver diseases. It is used in the production of dairy products, fats, spreads and baked goods.
E 406 – agar. The supplement is obtained from red-brown algae, rich in vitamins PP and microelements, useful for diseases of the thyroid gland, intestines, and removes toxins.
E 440 – pectin, ascorbic acid. A moderate amount of the supplement cleanses the intestines of toxins, protects and heals the intestinal and stomach mucosa, and reduces cholesterol. In large quantities may cause allergies.

Relatively harmless E supplements

Relatively harmless additives:

E 160b – annatto extract (vitamin A), improves vision and immunity, prevents tumors. This additive must be used with caution as it is a strong allergen..
E 170 – calcium carbonate (chalk). The supplement improves blood clotting, restores calcium deficiency, but overdose can lead to serious illness, which in severe cases ends in death.
E 290 – carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide). Add to drinks. Such drinks will not harm healthy people, but those with gastritis and ulcers should avoid them, as they may cause belching, flatulence, and stomach problems. Frequent consumption of carbonated water flushes calcium from the body.
E 330 – citric acid. As an additive it is harmless, since it is added in small quantities, but in large quantities it can cause irritation in the stomach and respiratory tract, including vomiting blood, and in rare cases provokes cancerous tumors.
E 410 – carob gum(natural supplement). The gum is harmless, enhances the gelling of the finished product, preserves the taste and prevents crystallization. Add to desserts, ice cream, processed cheese, bread and rolls, sauces, pates, canned vegetables and fruits.
E 412 – guar gum.
E 415 – xanthan gum.
E 420 – sorbitol(natural preservative and sweetener). With the help of the supplement, the body's consumption of B vitamins is reduced. Do not use it if you are on a diet, since it is higher in calories than sugar. Excessive consumption may cause bloating, upset, and nausea.
E 471 – monoglyceride and diglyceride of fatty acids(natural supplement). This is a natural emulsifier and stabilizer, does not pose any harm, is absorbed by our body, like all fats, Eating in large quantities can cause obesity. It is added when making pates, margarine, mayonnaise, and yoghurts.
E 500 – sodium carbonate (baking soda). The supplement is safe. Used as a leavening agent in the confectionery industry, and also prevents caking and lump formation in dry products.
E 967 – xylitol(natural sugar substitute). The supplement has a choleretic effect, is a non-carbohydrate sugar substitute, and is prescribed for diabetics. Used in dietary products. Overdose may cause diarrhea and flatulence.

Table of harmful and dangerous food additives for health in food products with explanation

Additives are strong carcinogens and cause skin rashes:

E 131 – patented V(blue). Promotes cancer growth, leads to allergies. Can be found in meat products and drinks.
E 142 – green S. Promotes cancer growth, leads to allergies.
E 153 – black coal grows
E 210 – benzoic acid. Studies have shown that the additive causes cancer, severe allergies, nervousness, and a person becomes hyperactive. Found in juices, drinks, canned meat or vegetables, chips, ketchup.
E 212 – potassium benzoate. Studies have shown that the additive promotes the development of cancer, causes severe allergies, has a bad effect on the nervous system, and makes a person hyperactive. Found in juices, drinks, canned meat and vegetables, chips, ketchup.
E 213 – calcium benzoate. After research, it became known that the additive provokes cancer, causes severe allergies, has a bad effect on the nervous system, and a person becomes hyperactive. Found in canned meat, vegetables, juice, drinks, chips, ketchup.
E 214-E 215 – ethyl ether. It has a bad effect on children, causes cancer and allergies.
E 216 – propyl ether, contributes to poisoning. Unscrupulous business owners add additives to chocolate and candies, canned meat, and dry mixes for soups.
E 219 – methyl ether sodium salt. Promotes poisoning, especially in children, allergies, and cancer. Found in ketchup, mayonnaise, canned fish and caviar.
E 230 – biphenyl, biphenyl. Promotes allergies, skin diseases, cancer growth, and has a bad effect on children.
E 240 – formaldehyde. Poisons like arsenic and hydrocyanic acid are deadly and toxic. Causes diseases: cancer, allergies, skin inflammation, has a bad effect on children. It is also found in sausage products, drinks, and sweets.
E 249 – potassium nitrite. Causes cancer and has a bad effect on children. Found in smoked meats.
E 280 – propionic acid. Causes cancer and has a bad effect on children. Found in dairy products, sauces, and bread.
E 281-E 283 – sodium, calcium, potassium propionate. It provokes cancer, migraines and vascular spasms, and has a bad effect on children. Found in dairy and bread products, sauces.
E 310 – drank gallate. Causes skin rashes.
E 950 – acesulfame potassium Artificial substitutes have more calories than sugar, and they cause appetite, so you won’t be able to lose weight on them.
E 952 – sodium cyclamate(artificial sugar substitute). Contraindicated for people suffering from kidney disease.
E 954 – saccharin(artificial sugar substitute). Do not consume on an empty stomach. Constant consumption of saccharin can cause cholelithiasis, and large amounts can cause cancer.
E 957 – thaumatin(artificial sugar substitute).
E 965 – maltitol(artificial sugar substitute).
E 968 – erythritol(artificial sugar substitute).

There may be E additives here

Some supplements cause skin rashes

Additives that cause stomach upset:

E 338 – orthophosphoric acid and its derivatives provoke diseases of the intestines and stomach.
E 339, E 340, E 341 - sodium, potassium, calcium orthophosphate.
E 343 – magnesium orthophosphate. It provokes disorders in the intestines and stomach.
E 450 – pyrophosphate. It provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines. Used in the production of processed cheese and other dairy products, canned meat.
E 461 – methylcellulose. It provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines, negatively affects the children's body.
E 462 – ethylcellulose
E 463 - hydroxypropyl cellulose. Causes stomach ailments.
E 465 – ethyl methylcellulose. Causes stomach ailments.
E 466 - carboxymethyl cellulose. It provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines. It is used in the production of cheeses and other dairy products, mayonnaise, ice cream, sweet products.

E supplements that provoke indigestion

Additives Causing Skin Diseases:

E 151 – black shiny BN(synthetic black dye). Causes diseases of the stomach, skin, allergies. Banned in many countries. It can be found in dairy products, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, seasonings, sauces, confectionery, ice cream, drinks.
E 160d – red lycopene.
E 231 – orthophenylphenol. Promotes allergies, skin diseases, cancer growth, bad effect on children.
E 232 - calcium orthophenylphenol. Causes allergies, skin diseases, promotes the growth of cancer, badly affects children.
E 239 – urotropine. Promotes allergies, skin diseases, cancer growth, and has a bad effect on children. Found in cheeses and canned caviar.
E 311 – octyl gallate. Provokes allergies, stomach diseases, nervousness and skin diseases.
E 312 – dodecyl gallate. Provokes allergies, stomach and skin diseases, nervousness.
E 320 – butylated hydroxyanisole. Increases the amount of bad cholesterol in the body, provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines, liver, kidneys, skin. It is used to slow down oxidative processes in fatty mixtures, meat, chewing gum.
E 907 – poly 1 decene hydrogenated. Promotes skin irritation and rash.
E 951 – aspartame(artificial sugar substitute). Frequent use leads to a deficiency of serotonin in the brain, the development of depression, panic, elements of violence, and convulsions. They are used in the production of sweet carbonated drinks (especially imported ones) and chewing gum. Contraindicated in patients with phenylketonuria. When heated, unexpected reactions occur and death may occur.
E 1105 – lysozyme.

E supplements that cause skin rashes

There may be harmful additives E

Supplements that cause intestinal upset:

E 154 – brown. Promotes cancer, disorders, allergies. Particularly dangerous for children. Found in confectionery, drinks, cheese, chips, smoked sausages and fish.
E 626 – guanylic acid
E 627 – sodium guanylate. Promotes intestinal disorders.
E 628, E 629 – potassium, calcium guanylate. Promotes diarrhea.
E 630 – inisinic acid. Promotes intestinal disorders.
E 631 – sodium inisinate. Promotes intestinal disorders.
E 632, E 633 – potassium, calcium inisinate. Promotes diarrhea.
E 634, E 635 – calcium, sodium ribunucleotides. Promotes intestinal disorders.

There may be E supplements leading to intestinal disorders

Supplements That Increase Blood Pressure:

E 154 – brown. Promotes cancer, stomach disease, allergies. Particularly dangerous for children. Found in confectionery, drinks, cheese, chips, smoked sausages and fish.
E 250 – sodium nitrite
E 252 – potassium nitrate. The additive has an irritating effect, especially in children, interferes with the absorption of vitamins, causes oxygen starvation, food poisoning and cancer. It can be found when smoking meat, sausages, fish, bacon, in the production of ham, sausages.

There are E supplements that increase blood pressure

Additives that are harmful to children's bodies:

E 270 – lactic acid. The additive is a strong antioxidant, found in fermented milk drinks, sauerkraut, and pickles. Lactic acid improves intestinal flora, carbohydrate absorption, and adds energy to the body. Used in the manufacture of medicines, cheeses, yoghurts, mayonnaise. Give small children foods containing the additive carefully and little by little, since intolerance to it is common.

Attention. Children under 5 years old should not consume products even with the safest additives.

Children should be given foods with E additives carefully so as not to cause harm.

Dangerous additives (many countries have banned their use in food; they are used in Russia and Ukraine), their effect has not yet been fully studied:

E 101a, E 106 – sodium salt, sodium phosphate. The additive causes allergies, impairs vision, and kidney disease. Found in dry baby food, dairy products, sweet products, and drinks.
E 102 – tartrazine. Causes asthma, food allergies, migraines, and vision impairment. It is added to sweets, confectionery, drinks and ice cream.
E 103 – alkanine. Provokes the manifestation of cancer. Found in a pastry shop.
E 105 – durable AB. The additive promotes the growth of malignant tumors and is toxic. Can be found in confectionery and drinks.
E 110 – yellow “Sunset” FCF. A very dangerous additive, carcinogenic, causes nausea and allergies. Particularly dangerous for children. Can be found in dairy products, crackers, sauces, seasonings, canned food, and sweet products.
E 111 – alpha-naphthol. The additive is carcinogenic.
E 120 – carminic acid. The danger is medium. Causes allergies. Used in sausages, yogurt and other dairy products, drinks, candies and sauces.
E 121 – citrus 2 red. The additive promotes cancer and is very toxic. Can be found on the packaging of ice cream, candies, drinks, and on the skins of oranges.
E 124 – red Ponceau 4R. The additive is a carcinogen and causes allergies.
E 125 – Ponceau red
E 126 – red 6R ponceau. Promotes the development of cancer. Dangerous.
E 127 – red erythrosine. Dangerous due to allergies, especially in children.
E 129 – charming AC. Carcinogenic.
E 130 – indanthren RS. Leads to the growth of cancer cells, stomach diseases, and negatively affects children.
E 143 – durable FCF. Promotes cancer growth. It is found in canned food, vegetables and fruits, sauces and seasonings, ice cream, and sweet products.
E 150a, E 150b, E 150c, E 150d – sugar color I-IV. Causes stomach diseases. Found in ice cream, chocolate butter, drinks, sauces, and sweet products.
E 152 – black coal(artificial). Leads to cancer and stomach diseases. Found in cheeses and confectionery.
E 155 – chocolate brown HT. A dangerous additive that provokes allergies in adults and children.
E 180 – ruby lithol VK. Promotes liver diseases and allergies. Dangerous.
E 201 – sodium sorbate. Provokes allergies. Dangerous for children. It is found in cheese, margarine, mayonnaise, dumplings and confectionery, during the processing of vegetable oil.
E 211 – sodium benzoate. The additive leads to cancer, causes severe allergies, nervousness, and the person becomes hyperactive. Found in juices, drinks, canned meat and vegetables, chips, ketchup.
E 221 – sodium sulfite(preservative). Promotes stomach diseases, allergies, irritation in the respiratory tract, especially dangerous for children. Used to disinfect boxes.
E 222 – sodium hydrosulfite
E 223 – sodium pyrosulfite. The additive causes severe allergies, asthma, stomach diseases, and if the technology for preparing products containing the additive is violated, death. It is found in canned fruits, breakfast cereals, tomatoes, wines, and is used in the processing of dried fruits.
E 224 – potassium pyrosulfite. The additive causes severe allergies, asthma, stomach diseases, and if the preparation technology of the product containing the additive is violated, death. It is found in canned fruit, breakfast cereals, tomato, wine, and is used in the storage of dried fruits.
E 228 – potassium hydrosulfite. The additive causes severe allergies, then asthma, stomach diseases, and if the instructions for preparing products with E-shka are violated, death. It is found in canned fruits, breakfast cereals (mashed potatoes), tomato, wine, and is used in the storage of dried fruits.
E 233 – thiabendazole. Dangerous. It provokes cancer, skin diseases, allergies, and has a bad effect on children. Used to treat vegetables and fruits against mold development.
E 242 – dimethyl dicarbonate. Dangerous, but allowed.
E 251 – sodium nitrate. Used as a dye, preservative and seasoning. It irritates the nervous system, especially in children, interferes with the absorption of vitamins, causes oxygen starvation, food poisoning and cancer. Used for smoking bacon, meat and fish, in the manufacture of ham, sausages, sausages.
E 321– butyl hydroxytoluene. It provokes diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, allergies, increases bad cholesterol. It is used in the production of spreads, canned fish, and beer.
E 400 – alginic acid. Very dangerous.
E 401 – sodium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 402 – potassium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 403 – ammonium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 404 – calcium alginate. Very dangerous.
E 405 – propane 1,2 diol alginate. Very dangerous.
E 407 – carrageenan. Causes stomach and intestinal diseases. Used in the production of sausages, dairy products, ice cream, and sweet products.
E 501 – potassium carbonate. Very dangerous.
E 503 – ammonium carbonate. Very dangerous.
E 620 – glutamic acid. Causes allergies, especially dangerous for children.
E 636 – maltol. Very dangerous.
E 952 – cyclamic acid, salt. Highly toxic. It is used in the production of ice cream, dietary products, sweets and chewing gum.

Types of E additives

Additives prohibited in Russia.

About 200 types of harmful additives are banned in Russia, many of them are listed in this article.

Supplements, poorly studied, suspicious:

E 104 – quinoline(yellow and yellow-green). Causes allergies and intestinal diseases, especially in children. It is used for smoking fish, making drinks, sweets, and chewing gum.
E 122 – carmoisine, azorubine. A very dangerous additive that causes allergies and stomach diseases. Used in drinks and sweet products.
E 141 – green(synthetic dye). Causes stomach diseases. Found in dairy products.
E 173 – aluminum metallic. Promotes liver diseases.
E 241 – guaiac resin. Causes stomach ailments.
E 477 – propane diol fatty acid esters.

E additives

The most harmful food additives in foods, bread, sausage, chocolate, dried fruits: list, codes

Very dangerous additives that stimulate the growth of cancer cells are banned throughout the world, but are still sometimes used by unscrupulous industrialists:

E 123 – amaranth. The additive causes various pathologies in an unborn child, in adults - liver disease, kidney disease, skin rashes, chronic runny nose. Found in dry mixes for desserts, jellies, muffins and puddings, and ice cream.
E 510 – ammonium chloride, ammonium chloride(confectionery improver). Very dangerous, but allowed. Causes upset, liver disease. Used in the production of yeast, flour, seasonings, sweets and dietary products.
E 513 – sulfuric acid. Very dangerous, but allowed. Causes upset, liver disease. Used in the production of yeast and drinks.
E 527 – ammonium hydroxide. Very dangerous, banned in many countries. Causes diarrhea and liver failure. Used if you need to obtain a homogeneous state from non-mixable products - water and oil.

Food additive E 171, E 220, E 250, E 450, E 451, E 452, E 621: harmful or not?

Meat products with E additives

There are different additives, harmful and not so:

E 171 – titanium dioxide. Promotes liver and kidney diseases, especially in children. Found in dry formulas and powdered milk.
E 220 – sulfur dioxide. Dangerous, especially for people with kidney diseases and children, causes stomach diseases, allergies, and irritates the respiratory system. The additive disinfects containers for dried fruits and is also used in the manufacture of canned meat and fruit.
E 250 – sodium nitrite. Used as a dye, preservative and seasoning. The additive has an irritating effect on the nervous system, especially in children, interferes with the absorption of vitamins, causes oxygen starvation, food poisoning and cancer. Used for smoking bacon, meat and fish, and for making ham, sausages and sausages.
E 450 – pyrophosphate. Provokes diseases of the stomach and intestines. Used in the production of processed cheese and other dairy products, canned meat.
E 451 – triphosphate. It provokes inflammation in the stomach, and cancer, and accumulates bad cholesterol. The additive is almost universally used to make sausage, especially boiled sausage, because it retains moisture and the sausage doubles in size.
E 452 – polyphosphate. The additive can seriously harm your health: it accumulates in the body, and then causes allergies, and, together with bad cholesterol, can turn into cancer. It is found in processed cheese, dry and condensed milk, and canned food.
E 621 – monosodium glutamate (sodium salt). This salt occurs naturally in legumes, algae, and living organisms, like protein. If there is a small amount of it in food, it is safe. The danger is the constant consumption of chips, condiments and sauces with additives. This can be expressed in the form of blurred vision, allergies, nervous conditions, headaches, increased heart rate and general weakness.

So, by at least learning about healthy supplements, you will know which products you can buy in the store and which you cannot.

Video: E supplements

What do we know about food additives in foods and why do we talk about them as harmful? They give an appetizing appearance, enhance the taste, and increase shelf life. However, such components of the composition have fewer and fewer fans - all because of the danger that combinations of letters and numbers pose.

Why can't manufacturers do without a variety of E? The demand for semi-finished products, canned food and other ready-made products that just need to be heated is constantly growing. And their taste and attractive appearance are thanks to the additives that everyone hears about.

So the desire of the consumer is the law for those who bring new products to the market - appetizing and stuffed to the gills with things that cannot be eaten. Let's try to figure out how to distinguish edible from inedible and whether there is any benefit to something that improves taste, color and aroma.

Harmful food additives E in food: why are they needed?

The goal of those who produce the products that we see on the shelves is not our health at all, but making a profit. And this task is especially easy to accomplish, making the product as attractive as possible to the buyer:

Delicious - the substances used by manufacturers enhance the taste and make us want more, even if it does not benefit us.

Homogeneous in consistency - emulsifiers and stabilizers work on this. It is thanks to them that mayonnaise from the store is thick and does not separate, and jelly candies always keep their shape.

Bright and eye-catching – we see something red, green or yellow and immediately want to buy it. If this sounds familiar to you, know that dyes are deceiving you - they make the colors so rich and the products on the shelves so attractive to look at.

Fragrant - if a store-bought cupcake smells stronger and better than homemade, flavorings have probably been added to it.

Retaining freshness for a long time - shelf life is a separate issue. Sometimes it causes bewilderment, sometimes it causes apprehension. All because of preservatives - they are the ones who prevent the product from spoiling, simultaneously harming our health.

All additives have long been divided into dangerous, non-hazardous, harmful and suspicious. Such substances are designated by the letter E with an assigned number - a set of numbers. And even if there is no such component in the composition, this does not mean that the manufacturers did not include it in the list of ingredients.

To eat or not to eat: do not forget to be careful

We are accustomed to the fact that food additives are neither harmful nor beneficial. Is it really?

All substances under the letter E can be divided into several groups:

Dangerous - these include E102, 110, 220, 222, 223 150a, etc.

Prohibited – here are additives with code 105, 121, 126, 130, 952.23, 240, 924b, etc.

Permitted - 333, 405, 210, 515 and other substances used to give the product a marketable appearance.

Learn more about our weight loss programs:

Some believe that you can use a simple method to determine harmfulness: when purchasing, we look at the number after E. The lower it is, the better for us. But this is an erroneous decoding of the code. In fact, the first number in it indicates a specific chemical:

1 – presence of dye;
2 – a sign that this is a preservative;
3 – with this additive, products cannot turn sour;
4 is the number of stabilizers that are needed to maintain a uniform consistency;
5 – the presence of emulsifiers in the product – they give shape;
6 – substances that enhance taste and aroma;
9 – anti-foaming “chemistry” and various kinds of sweeteners.

There are more and more products with food additives, and less and less natural products. Here are a few examples to make sure: store-bought sweets can be dangerous.

Do you like ice cream? Popsicles and sundaes contain not only dyes, which give a bright and enticing color, but also stabilizers, some of which can cause digestive problems (for example, E 407).

Another dream for those with a sweet tooth is a piece of fragrant roll made from biscuit dough. There are many fillings - all you have to do is choose. And don’t forget that the emulsifier E450 was added to the confectionery product - it often causes stomach upset.

Let's take regular candy. Can they really give you a headache? It turns out that this is not as far-fetched as it seems. The reason is the dye E110 with the beautiful name “sunset”.

Allowed but not approved

As they say, feel the difference. Only what is approved can be absolutely safe - not only by manufacturers, but also by doctors who study the effects of numerous additives on the body. The practice of “permission” is not only in Russia - this is done in Canada, America, and India.

Harm and not a bit of benefit

Substances used around the world to make food taste and look good may not be healthy simply because their safety is highly questionable. Let's look at the formulation that was invented for flavor enhancers, colors and emulsifiers in the USA - GRAS. It is used in relation to those chemicals whose danger has not been proven - there is no evidence indicating it. But where is the guarantee that the test was carried out properly, and that eating a piece of cake or a chocolate bar will not cause acute and chronic toxic effects?

There is always a risk of banning any additive, and no one is immune from the side effects of dyes and raising agents. Do you want to stay healthy? Eat only natural foods that do not need to be loaded with sweeteners, stabilizers and other harmful substances starting with the letter E.

Prohibited and potentially dangerous: a little history

Since 2007, the process of banning dyes E102, 122, 110 and other substances that give candy, chewing gum, sparkling water and sweets a bright color has been going on. It has been proven that their action leads to the development of hyperactivity in children. They suspected something was wrong back in 1975, but some manufacturers still cannot stop using this “chemical”.

The story of another dye - E128 - has already ended. It was recognized as a carcinogen and banned. However, before that, it was constantly added to cheap semi-finished products, sausages, consisting of soybeans rather than meat.

How can we help ourselves? Option one is to learn everything about substances that can cause health problems. To do this, just look at the table of dangerous and potentially harmful food additives (E) with a breakdown - there are no useful ones among them!

They are everywhere: in ice cream, candy, sausage, yoghurt, instant noodles. All that remains is to figure out where the permitted substances are and where the prohibited ones are. To help you and demonstrate how dangerous the dyes and leavening agents hidden under the letter E can be, we will give a detailed description of some of them.

E621

Manufacturers use it most often - it is monosodium glutamate, which preserves the aroma of a product that has been lying on the shelf for several days, or even weeks. What's the secret? In glutamic acid salts, or rather their chemical analogues. They improve not only the smell, but also the taste, and also force us to eat another piece, irritating the taste buds.

You've probably noticed how difficult it is to get enough of hot dogs, crackers, chips - you always want to increase the portion. All because of the E621 additive - it encourages you to take the product you like in double volume, without thinking about the consequences. At the same time, we forget that substances that improve taste often cause severe headaches, and are completely contraindicated for children - in large quantities they cause anxiety, hyperactivity, and overexcitement.

Another danger of overusing food generously seasoned with monosodium glutamate is complete indifference to healthy homemade dishes. Having accustomed our receptors to bright taste sensations, we look for them again and again and risk becoming obese by constantly increasing the portion and overeating.

E250

This is a dye used all over the world, which is also a preservative. Do you see suspiciously pink meat that has been lying on the counter for a long time, but has not spoiled? Sodium nitrite was added to it. This preserves the presentation of ham, sausages, sausages and sausages. If it weren't for this substance, we would hardly buy the cut in the store - it would be brownish and unappetizing.

Is this supplement dangerous? In small quantities it does not cause side effects. But if all we do is eat foods with E250, the consequences will not be long in coming - sodium nitrite will cause pressure drops and headaches.

E210 and 200

These acids are benzoic and sorbic. All products that have an impressive shelf life contain them. Harmful? Yes, especially for experienced allergy sufferers and asthma patients.

E220

Or sulfur dioxide. It is often added to cheap wine. This substance is dangerous because it destroys the kidneys. Don't forget to check the ingredients before purchasing dry white or semi-sweet red. Otherwise, a fun feast can lead to sad consequences.

E320

The antioxidant found in vegetable oil is what helps it stay fresh on store shelves. Be careful and careful: this substance is a carcinogen that can cause cell changes. Exceeding the daily dose - 0.5 mg per kg of weight - can negatively affect your well-being and lead to the development of cancer.

E924a

An additive that is added to bread. She makes it so soft that it seems like the loaf was just pulled out of the oven. Potassium bromate is now being tested to prove its safety. There is evidence that it provokes the development of cancer.

All of these are substances that in large quantities lead to serious health problems. Above we have given a complete list of the most harmful and dangerous food additives under the letter E in the table. How to protect yourself from the negative effects of all kinds of dyes, stabilizers, emulsifiers and flavors?

Read the ingredients carefully. You can write down the list of prohibited substances and carry it with you. This will help you make the right choice and protect yourself from unpleasant surprises.

Avoid processed foods, fast food and convenience foods. Cook at home. Train yourself to eat healthy meals. Soon you will lose all desire to eat a delicious and unhealthy bun or candy.

Our specialists will help you switch to a nutritious diet and give up “unprofitable” foods - without strict restrictions and experiments on your health. We will calculate your daily caloric intake, give you the right instructions and tell you how to fall in love with healthy eating. With us, you will forget about the problem of excess weight and enter a new life with confidence.

There are many food E-additives and most of them are not beneficial, and some of them are harmful to the body to one degree or another. But there are also those that not only do not cause harm, but are also useful. Some of safe food additives E They are even approved for use by children.

List of non-harmful food additives E.

Below is a list of all safe and healthy food supplements E. But, nevertheless, it is not recommended even for children to use them.

E101 is vitamin B2.
E140-141 is chlorophyll (a plant component) and its compounds with copper. Gives plants a green color.
E160 is a compound that behaves like vitamin A in the human body.
E160 is a natural dye extracted from carrots, tropical plants, algae, and palm oil.
E161 is lutein and provides minor benefits to the visual organs.
E163 is a dye obtained naturally from the skin of red grapes, currants, chokeberries and other similar berries.
E260 is vinegar, which is a fermentation product of natural products.
E270 is lactic acid.
E290 is CO 2, it is added to soda.
E296 is malic acid and belongs to the category of harmless additives, but it is better for children not to use it often.
E300-302 is ascorbic acid - vitamin C.
E306-309 is vitamin E - a very important vitamin for a growing body. There are natural and synthetic.
E322 is lecithin.
E330 is citric acid.
E375 is nicotinic acid (PP, B3) - a vitamin.
E338, E450 are phosphorus compounds that are beneficial for the skeleton and teeth. Does not harm the body.
E440 is healthy food supplement. It is obtained from natural fruits (we usually have apples) and has a jelly structure that collects and removes harmful and unnecessary substances from the intestines.
E500 is baking soda.
E641-642 are amino acids that are important for the immune and muscle systems.
E916-917 are calcium and iodine compounds - needed by the body. Used to artificially saturate foods with iodine.
E967 is a birch sweetener. Added to chewing gum and mouth fresheners. Does not cause caries.

Nutritional additives in baby food.

Food additive - lecithin. Lecithin is needed for the development of the child’s brain and spinal cord, is responsible for thought processes and memory, and promotes better absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. In addition, lecithin helps the body produce energy, which children really need.

Scientists have proven that plant lecithin is more beneficial than natural lecithin, so soy lecithin is better.

Food additive - citric acid. Citric acid is included in baby food as a preservative, while almost not causing allergies. Citric acid increases shelf life, prevents vitamins from being destroyed and fats from breaking down.

Food additive - starch. Hypoallergenic corn and rice starch are mainly used to prepare meat purees to prevent them from separating. Starch allows you to maintain the consistency of the puree in the desired state, when it is better held on a spoon. In addition, starch helps fruits be better digested. Purees containing starch are recommended to be given to children over six months of age.

Note! The red coloring in yoghurt comes from insects.

List of other safe food additives E.

E100 is a yellow-orange dye from turmeric or saffron that is beneficial to the body.
E152 is coal.
E162 is a red beet dye.
E170 is chalk - a source of calcium.
E297 is fumaric acid.
E326 is a salt of lactic acid, part of processed cheese.
E406 is agar-agar (extracted from seaweed). Included in all marmalades.
E410-411 are thickeners made from carob and oats.
E420 is sorbitol or its syrup.
E900-903 is wax. It is used for processing fruits, which increases shelf life. It does not cause harm and does not enter the body if fruits and vegetables are washed with a brush under warm running water or the peel is cut off.
E905b, c - this is Vaseline and paraffin - also for processing vegetables and fruits.
E958 - it is obtained from licorice root.
E960 is stevioside - obtained from the herb.

How to reduce the entry of E additives into food.

carefully read the composition of the product;
the longer the shelf life, the more preservatives and antioxidants;
Don’t be fooled by products with unrealistically bright colors; We recommend purchasing fruits and vegetables at the market from private traders; minimize the consumption of chips, packaged foods, salty crackers, breakfast cereals, etc. (especially in children);
It’s better to make juices for children yourself, prepare juices for the winter from fruits grown personally;
Please note that sometimes, instead of preservatives, ready-to-eat products contain large amounts of salt or sugar;
eat less sausages, canned meats, smoked meats - these products more often than others contain carcinogens and substances that can be classified as poisons;
baby food for the little ones is made without dyes, preservatives, flavors, etc., and vegetables and fruits purchased in the supermarket are treated with special substances that prolong their shelf life, so baby puree from jars for babies may be healthier than homemade freshly prepared;
For parents whose children suffer from allergies or have chronic diseases of internal organs, the list of food additives E should be studied in more detail.

Are E additives in food harmful?

Table of harmful and dangerous food additives for health in food products with explanation

The most harmful food additives in foods, bread, sausage, chocolate, dried fruits: list, codes

Food additive E 171, E 220, E 250, E 450, E 451, E 452, E 621: harmful or not?

Video: E supplements

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Natural or artificial

What does the number code next to the letter "E" mean?

Such different food additives "E"

Healthy Supplements

Relatively harmless additives

Additives to Avoid

Dangerous additives

Very dangerous

Prohibited substances: table of the most harmful food additives "E"

Substances that cause skin rashes

Summing up

Are E additives in food harmful?

Table of harmful and dangerous food additives for health in food products with explanation

The most harmful food additives in foods, bread, sausage, chocolate, dried fruits: list, codes

Food additive E 171, E 220, E 250, E 450, E 451, E 452, E 621: harmful or not?

Video: E supplements

Harmful food additives E in food: why are they needed?

To eat or not to eat: do not forget to be careful

Learn more about our weight loss programs:

Prohibited and potentially dangerous: a little history

List of non-harmful food additives E.

Nutritional additives in baby food.

List of other safe food additives E.

How to reduce the entry of E additives into food.

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