How to decipher the composition of a product and identify dangerous additives
Как расшифровать состав продукта и выявить опасные добавки 03.10.2019

E-supplements have long and thoroughly entered our lives and it’s no secret that the vast majority of ready-made food products cannot do without them. There are, of course, happy exceptions, but, unfortunately, they are few.

As you know, food additives serve to extend the shelf life of products, give them the necessary taste, color or certain properties. In order to minimize the amount of E-supplements consumed, you must carefully read the product composition on the label.

In addition, you should know that they are all divided into several groups. Their belonging to one category or another can be determined by the first digit after E.

One of the most beloved E-additives by manufacturers is E-621, also called monosodium glutamate. This is a flavor enhancer that is included in almost all sauces, ketchups, croutons, chips, Korean salads, instant foods, etc. The additive gives the dish the taste and smell of meat. However, if the supplement rate is exceeded, the person may become poisoned.

Next come the E-additives, without which it is impossible to imagine sausage products: E250 (sodium nitrite), E251 (sodium nitrate) and E252 (potassium nitrate). Nitrate additives are found not only in sausages, but also in smoked fish, sprats, and canned herring. They are also added to hard cheeses to prevent swelling. People suffering from liver and intestinal diseases, dysbacteriosis, and cholecystitis are advised to exclude foods containing these additives from their diet.

Such E-additives as E103, E105, E121, E123, E125, E126, E130, E131, E142, E153, E171, -173 are classified as dyes. Contained in sweet soda water, candies and colored ice cream. These additives can lead to the formation of malignant tumors and cause liver and kidney disease.

E-additives E210, E211, E213-217, E240-preservatives. They can be found in canned food of any kind (mushrooms, compotes, juices, jams), which can also lead to the formation of malignant tumors.

E-additives E407, E447, E450, E461-466 are stabilizers and thickeners in products such as jam, condensed milk, chocolate cheese. Lead to diseases of the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.

There is another additive - E951 Asparkam - this sweetener and flavor enhancer replaces sugar in products for diabetics. Asparkam is added to chewing gum, drinks, canned food, seasonings, etc. Products containing asparkam can cause migraines, skin rashes and impaired brain function.

Only the most common additives are listed above, some of them are harmful only in large quantities, but carcinogens tend to accumulate in the body and make themselves felt over time.

Olga Petrovna Saprygina
Laboratory assistant at the sanitary and hygienic laboratory
of the Sarkan district branch of the
RSE branch at the RSE "National Center of Expertise"
of the KKBTU Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Almaty region"