What are Additives and Preservatives?

Additives and preservatives are substances added to food. They can be broadly separated according to their functions, but a single additive may perform a variety of defined functions.

For example:

Are Additives and Preservatives Necessary?

In the majority of cases the answer is a definite yes! As our cities grow larger and lifestyles more hectic, it becomes difficult for many people to obtain fresh food. Without preservatives or additives, a great amount of food on shop shelves would "go off" before being bought. For example, bread would last only about two days before becoming stale.

Are Additives Safe?

The vast majority of additives and preservatives appear to be safe. They have been tested by many laboratories throughout the world before being used in foods. However, individuals may be "sensitive" to various additives and preservatives. Government agencies control which substances, and in which amounts, may be used in the production of food. In South Africa the Department of Health controls the use of additives and preservatives.

Who do they affect?

In the majority of cases, individuals with some form of allergy, e.g. asthma, hayfever, urticaria, etc., will be affected by these substances. A few additives and preservatives can affect non-allergic people. Some of these substances cause more reactions than others. For example, reactions to sulphur dioxide and sodium benzoate occur more commonly in asthmatics than reactions to the colorant tartrazine.

What reactions can occur?

Reactions are not "true" allergies as one sees with an egg allergy, but usually a type of chemical reaction. Reactions depend on the type of preservative or additive ingested. These may include vomiting, rashes, hives, a tight chest, headaches, worsening of eczema, and many other symptoms. Combinations of symptoms may give your doctor a strong clue as to the substance causing the reaction

Are there other substances that these reactions may be confused with?

Absolutely! Similar reactions may occur with an allergy to a food such as egg, nuts, etc. Some foods have natural chemicals that may affect you too. For example, fish that's not fresh may have a high level or histamine, cheese may have tyramine, and you may react to the histamine in wine and not the sulphur dioxide!

Which Additives result in Side Effects?

We cannot hope to cover all the additives and preservatives that may result in reactions, but these are some of the more important ones.

Preservatives:

Foods that may contain sulphur dioxide include.
(shortened list):

• some fruit juices,
• concentrated soft drinks,
• dried fruit,
• boerewors,
• dried wors,
• wine, beer,
• some sauces,
• pickles,
• hamburger patties.

• fruit juices,
• soft drinks,
• foods with fruit.

Antioxidants:

Colourants:

Foods that may contain colorants include:
(shortened list):

• fruit juices,
• soft drinks,
• sweets,
• desserts,
• toppings,
• syrups,
• cooking oils,
• sauces, and,
• pickles.

Emulsifiers and Stabilisers:

Flavour Enhancers

Foods that may contain MSG include:
(shortened list):

• Oriental food,
• packet soups,
• sauces,
• soya sauce,
• seasonings,
• Aromat.
• MSG is also thought to occur naturally in mushrooms and tomatoes.

Sweeteners:

Salicylates:

Foods that may contain salicylic acid include:
(shortened list):

• ice cream,
• curry powder,
• paprika,
• dried thyme,
• berries,
• ginger,
• almonds,
• apricot ,
• oranges,
• tea, and,
• honey

How do I know whether I am affected?

This may not always be obvious. In some instances, the reaction will immediately follow the ingestion of an additive or preservative, as with sulphur dioxide and sodium benzoate. In other cases, the reaction may be delayed for 6 to 24 hours.