ALLERGY DUE TO FOOD ADDITIVES

BYTASSAWER HUSSAIN

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGYUNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT, PAKISTAN

What is a food additive?Substances added to foods and beverages are called food additives. Common food additives include:

–Vitamins and minerals–Flavorings–Coloring–Preservatives–Things which add texture or make

foods less acidic

What is an adverse reaction?

An adverse reaction is any undesirable reaction from a food or food additive other than the nourishment the food is supposed to provide to the body

Additives causing adverse reactions:

• Sulfites• Aspartame • Parabens • Tartrazine• MSG• Nitrates and nitrites• BHT and BHA• Benzoates

Sulfites

• encompasses a variety of very small chemicals

• commonly used as preservatives in foods

• prevent foods from turning brown

• Some are naturally occurring

Sulfites cont.• most are added artificially to foods• Occurrence • Uses • Symptoms of adverse reactions to sulfites

include: –tightness in the chest, –breathing difficulty, –hives, –stomach cramps,– diarrhea, –and sometimes, anaphylactic shock.

Aspartame (Nutrasweet)• calorie-free sweetener

• used in many foods and beverages • People who have a problem

metabolizing the amino acid phenylalanine should not consume aspartame

Parabens• used to preserve foods and

medications. • used in sunscreens and shampoos • can cause reactions such as severe

contact dermatitis. • Examples of parabens are ethyl-,

methyl-, propyl-, and butyl-parabens.

Tartrazine• yellow dye • most commonly used in beverages,

candy, ice cream, desserts, cheese, canned vegetables, hot dogs, salad dressing, seasoning salts

• Can cause hives or swelling, and possibly a trigger for asthma symptoms

Monosodium glutamate, glutamic acid (MSG)• used to enhance flavor in packaged

meats and foods.

• can cause headache, a burning sensation on the back of the neck, chest tightness, nausea, diarrhea, and sweating.

• “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome

Nitrates and nitrites• used to preserve foods,• prevent deadly botulism infection,• enhance flavors, and color foods. • Symptoms are rare, but may include

headache or hives in some people. • Nitrates and nitrites are commonly

used in hot dogs, bologna, salami, and other processed meats and fish.

Butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole• preservative chemicals

• added to breakfast cereals and other grain products to prevent them from changing color, odor, and flavor

• linked to chronic hives and other skin reactions on rare occasions

Benzoates

• Preservatives

• used in some foods, including cakes, cereals, salad dressings, candy, margarine, oils, and dry yeast

• Benzoate reactions are very rare.

Contact dermitits

Hives

Uriticaria

Symptoms of an adverse reaction to food additives?

• vary in type and degree. • depend on the additive causing the

reaction, • how sensitive the person is to the

product, • and the amount consumed. • Most reactions are pharmacological

or idiosyncratic, not allergic.

How to manage an adverse reaction to a food additive?

• avoid the additive

• Read ingredient lists on all food labels carefully.

• Be sure you know the different ways an additive is named.

• Find out similar to the additives you cannot use

cont.

• Avoid sulfiting agents

• Question restaurant staff

• wear a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace

• In anaphylaxis, always carry injectable epinephrine

References

• http://asthmaandallergies.org/food-allergies/adverse-reactions-to-food-additives/

• http://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/food-additive-intolerance

• https://www.allergyuk.org/childhood-food-allergy/food-additives

• http://www.foodallergens.info/Facts/Additives.html