Scary additives in food - Do you really know what you are eating?

1. Lice droppings in Kinder Schocko-Bons

Kinder Schocko-Bons contain the food additive E904, also known as shellac. Shellac is a secretion of the mealy bug that is deposited as a resin on the lice's host tree and scraped off. The secretion is then ground and purified to food grade. One kilogram of shellac requires the secretion of about 300,000 scale insects.

But E 904 is not only found in Kinder Schocko-Bons, it is also used as a coating agent for peaches, apples, pears, pineapples, melons, citrus fruits, coffee beans, food supplements and all kinds of confectionery.

2. Fuel in mashed potatoes

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), also known as E 320 and E 321, is an artificial antioxidant chemically related to phenol, a disinfectant and a wood preservative. Butylated hydroxytoluene is extremely heat resistant and is well suited to high-fat foods. It prevents the rancidity of fats and is therefore used as a stabilizer in cooking and frying fats, lard, fish oil as well as in mutton, beef and poultry fat. It is also permitted in ready-to-use condiments, dried and powdered potatoes, some cereal products and chewing gum. Instant soups and sauces, powdered milk for vending machines, cakes and snack foods may also contain this chemical mixture.

Butylated hydroxytoluene is normally found in petroleum-based products, such as jet fuel. In large amounts, it can cause fatal cyanosis, which is why it is banned in foods for children and infants.

3. Antifreeze product in buns

E 1520 is the name of propylene glycol, nowadays mainly known as 1,2-propanediol. Propylene glycol is used as a food additive in the European Union and is mainly used as a carrier in the production of flavors. It is found in salad dressings, pastries, desserts and chewing gums.

From a chemical point of view, E 1520 belongs to the alkanol family and is used in industry as an antifreeze, as well as in the manufacture of synthetic resins and preservatives.

4. Hairy cookies

L-cysteine is the name of the additive that also appears as E 920 on the list of ingredients for baked goods and cookies. L-cysteine primarily improves the kneadability of doughs and is used as a flour treatment agent, as it also reduces the maturation time of flour. In addition, cysteine can also enhance the taste of tasty foods.

L-cysteine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the human body. In nature, L-cysteine is mainly present in plant proteins and is found in large quantities in keratin. Keratin is the main protein in horn, feathers, tendons and hair. Although cysteine can be produced from animal keratin, it is often added to vegetarian products as an artificial meat flavoring.

5. E104 - Quinoline Yellow

Foods containing this dye must bear the label "may impair activity and attention in children" because they can trigger attention disorders and hyperactivity. Furthermore, E104 promotes pseudoallergies. These are allergies that only have the symptoms of a classic allergy, but do not show any immunological reaction.

This is not a horror story but just reality

Conclusion:

Although the use of additives is allowed and tolerated, it does not mean that it has no effect on our health, let alone the health of our children. 

In the search for the cheapest possible food, we consume synthetic foods that taste good but contain almost no nutrients. Today there are about 3000 different chemicals in various products. In the EU, about 320 additives are permitted and a person eats an average of 6.5 kg of permitted additives per year.

What to do?

Avoid products that contain preservatives, artificial colors, sugar hidden under various names and artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sorbitol, etc.). Try to avoid convenience foods and switch to a whole foods diet. For example, bake your own bread and use wholesome and natural products in cooking