Voronezh Officials Warn of Cancer-Causing E-Additives in Food

The Voronezh Regional Office of Rospotrebnadzor conducted a brief primer on the notorious E-additives, which seem to be in all products nowadays. They are even in glossy, beautiful fruits — the kind that can sit on a shelf for three seasons in a row. Are all E-additives actually edible? And which ones are banned because they can provoke deadly pathologies — for example, cancer — and mutations?

As sanitary doctors explained, E-additives are grouped by codes, depending on their function. Here are the main categories that many Voronezh residents consume more than one of every day:

• E100–E182: colorants (affect the product«s color);
• E200–E299: preservatives (extend shelf life);
• E300–E399: antioxidants (slow oxidation processes, similar in action to preservatives);
• E400–E499: stabilizers (maintain consistency), thickeners (add viscosity);
• E500–E599: emulsifiers (make consistency homogeneous, without lumps);
• E600–E699: flavor and aroma enhancers;
• E900–E999: antifoaming agents, sweeteners.

The most harmful, deadly, banned additives in Russia:

• preservative formaldehyde (E240) — sanitary doctors called it the main poison;
• colorants «Citrus Red 2» (E121) and «Amaranth» (E123). Previously used in colored sodas, ice cream, candies.

Not recommended for children:

• colorant «curcumin» (E100), antioxidant «succinic acid» (E363), emulsifier «magnesium carbonate» (E504), sweetener «thaumatin» (E957).

And these can even be beneficial:

• antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C) — E300, stabilizer pectin (found in apples) — E440, colorant riboflavin (vitamin B2) — E101, preservative acetic acid — E260.

As for the ominous sodium glutamate — the flavor and aroma enhancer with the code name E621 — this substance, it turns out, is necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and heart, however.

— When the body lacks it, it can produce glutamate on its own, — explain in Rospotrebnadzor. — But an excess can have a toxic effect, and the liver and pancreas suffer more from it. Sodium glutamate can cause addiction, allergies, brain and vision damage. It is especially dangerous for children. On packaging, the amount of glutamate in the product is usually not indicated. Therefore, it is better not to overindulge in food where it is contained.

Fans of sausage and wieners should check this so-called «food» for the preservative sodium nitrate — E251. This substance is harmful for those suffering from cholecystitis, dysbiosis, or who have problems with the liver and intestines. Besides processed meat, E251 can be found in fish preserves and smoked fish, some cheeses.

Antibiotics, which are sometimes used as preservatives, cause dysbiosis and can provoke other intestinal diseases. Thickeners absorb everything that comes their way — both harmful and beneficial. As a result, vital vitamins and minerals risk not being absorbed along with them.

What is the conclusion from all this? Eat food — as natural as possible, prepared by your own hands from whole products — and accustom children to it. If you still feel like «poisoning» yourself — read the composition. And upon seeing a palisade of E-additives in it, return it to the shelf. If you find «banned» ones, like formaldehyde — call Rospotrebnadzor: +7-800-201-05-97 (hotline), +7-800-555-49-43 (consultation center).