Finding the hidden dangers that are present in everyday foods can be scary and alarming. It can be unsettling when you realise that some harmful food additives are present in foods we love and eat often. For instance, ingredients like liquid nitrogen and dry ice are often used for presentation purposes; a synthetic sweetener like saccharin is used to enhance sweetness; and rhodamine-B is used for the colour of foods; they are often found in cotton candy and manchurian dishes. Ethylene oxide, on the other hand, is a common ingredient used in spices.

What is Food Additive?

A food additive is something added to food to make it taste better, look nicer, or last longer. It can be a chemical, colour, flavour, or preservative. Food additives are used to improve food, but they can be harmful and unhealthy when consumed in large quantities.

Even though these additives might come wrapped in your favourite foods like a surprise, they can actually be very dangerous for both kids and adults, putting their health at serious risk. Understanding why these additives should be avoided is essential for safeguarding our health and making informed choices about what we eat. Let's dive deeper into the reasons behind steering clear of these potentially harmful substances in our food.

What Is Liquid Nitrogen?

Liquid nitrogen is simply nitrogen that has gone from its gaseous state to a liquid form. Liquid nitrogen is a very cold liquid made from nitrogen gas. It's so cold, around -196°C (-321°F), that it can freeze things quickly. People often use it in labs, for freezing food, or in science experiments.

Health Risk and Side Effects of Liquid Nitrogen in Food

Liquid nitrogen in food is an extremely risky choice because it's extremely cold. It certainly looks fancy, but eating food mixed with liquid nitrogen can hurt your mouth, throat, or stomach. A recent viral video on social media showed a boy experiencing extreme pain, leading to his hospitalisation after consuming snacks that seemed to be served with liquid nitrogen at a stall in a public area.

What Is Dry Ice?

In simple terms, dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. It's made by squeezing and cooling carbon dioxide gas until it turns directly into a solid without becoming a liquid first. People often use dry ice to keep things cold for a short while.

Health Risk and Side Effects of Dry Ice in Food

Dry ice in food can be dangerous because it's very cold. Having food with dry ice can severely damage your stomach, mouth, and throat. In a recent incident, five diners at a restaurant were mistakenly served dry ice as mouth freshener. They experienced burning sensations in their mouths and started vomiting, some even with blood. All five diners had to be hospitalised, and some were critical.

What Is Saccharin?

Saccharin is a sugar substitute that's made in a laboratory. It's used in various foods and drinks to provide sweetness. It has no nutritional value. Saccharin is much sweeter than regular sugar. People often substitute it for sugar due to its lack of calories or carbs.

Health Risk and Side Effects of Saccharin in Food

Saccharin has no nutritional value and can be very harmful if consumed in large amounts. It's important to be cautious and avoid eating too much of it. Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to increased risk of cancer and other diseases. In another recent incident during a 10-year-old girl's birthday party, a sad incident occurred, leading to her death. Officials investigating the matter found that the cake bought from a bakery called Cake Kanha in Patiala, contained high amounts of Saccharin, an artificial sweetener. It has been linked to the child’s death.

What Is Rhodamine-B?

Rhodamine B is a bright red dye that's sometimes added to foods like cotton candy and Manchurian dishes to make them look more colourful. It's used to give these foods a vibrant red hue, but it's not safe to eat and can be harmful if consumed in large amounts.

Health Risk and Side Effects of Rhodamine-B in Food

Rhodamine-B is often used to make foods like cotton candy and gobi manchurian look bright. To stay safe, check food labels or ask restaurant staff not to use it in your food, and try to avoid products with this synthetic dye. Choosing natural options is better for your health. In a positive step, the Karnataka State Government has banned Rhodamine-B, and there are consequences for those who still use it.

What Is Ethylene Oxide?

Ethylene Oxide is a chemical which is sometimes found in spices. It is used to kill germs and pests that might be on the spices. But too much Ethylene Oxide can be harmful if it's in the spices we eat. So, it's important to be careful about how much of it is in our food.

Health Risk and Side Effects of Ethylene Oxide in Food

Ethylene Oxide in food is dangerous because it's a chemical used to get rid of germs and bugs. It's commonly used in spices to keep away pests. Eating food with Ethylene Oxide might make you sick and cause serious health issues. According to the latest reports, the Food Regulator FSSAI will test MDH and Everest spices because they were banned in Singapore and Hong Kong since they found cancer-causing chemicals in these spices.

Let's be careful about what we eat, especially foods with harmful food additives. Knowing the risks will help us choose better and keep everyone safe. Avoiding these bad additives will ensure that we all stay healthy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2024 05:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).