allergy due to food additives
TRANSCRIPT
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