Table 20 Possible negative effects of food preservatives [133, 137,138,139,140,141]
From: A review on mechanisms and commercial aspects of food preservation and processing
Preservative | Where found | Possible negative effects |
|---|---|---|
Sodium benzoate (E211) | Carbonated drinks, pickles, sauces, certain medicines (even some ‘natural and homeopathic’ medications for kids) | Aggravates asthma and suspected to be a neurotoxin and carcinogen, may cause fetal abnormalities. Worsens hyperactivity |
Sulfur dioxide (E220) | Carbonated drinks, dried fruit juices, cordials, potato products | May induce gastric irritation, nausea, diarrhea, asthma attacks and skin rashes. Destroys vitamin B1. Causes fetal abnormalities and DNA damage in animals |
Sodium meta-bisulfite | Preservative and antioxidant | May provoke life-threatening asthma |
Potassium nitrate (E249) | Cured meats and canned meat products | May lower oxygen carrying capacity of blood; may combine with other substances to form nitrosamines that are carcinogens |
P-hydroxy benzoic acid esters (parabens) | Preserved foods and pharmaceuticals | These compounds exert a weak estrogenic activity. Butyl paraben adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system |
Lactic acid bacteria | Fermented foods | Listeria monocytogenes may grow in raw milk, meat, and vegetables during fermentation process. This pathogen is responsible for causing foodborne illness |
Mono sodium glutamate (MSG) | All frozen foods, canned tuna and vegetables | Eating too much MSG can cause general weakness, flushing, heart palpitations, or numbness |
Aspartame | Used as a low-calorie sweetener in gum, drinks, pudding, and yogurt | It may cause allergy and migraine headache |
Sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate | Processed meats and fish to retain red color and avoid botulism | Consuming high amount of bacon, hot-dog, sausage containing nitrites or nitrates may cause type-1 diabetes. The risk is too prominent for pregnant women and children. These salts may also cause irritation to digestive system including mouth, esophagus, and stomach |
Trans fat | Deep processed fast foods and certain processed foods | Increase cholesterol level and the risk of heart attack. Contribute to increased inflammation, diabetes, and obesity problems |
Sodium sulfite (E221) | Used in wine making and other processed foods | Increase the risk of asthma and in extreme case may cause cardiac arrest |
Potassium bromate | White flour, bread, and rolls | This salt is considered as carcinogenic and its presence in bread may cause harmful effects to human |
Propyl gallate and tertiary butyl hydroquinone | Processed foods, vegetable oils and meat products | Low doses of propyl gallate can increase the risk of cancer, whereas tertiary butyl hydroquinone increases the incidence of tumors |