Food additives allergic reactions

Many other ketones and aldehydes are used as flavorings and additives to foods, drugs, and other products. For example, benzaldehyde is the primary component of almond extract, and (- )-carvone gives spearmint chewing gum its minty flavor. Table 18-4 lists some simple ketones and aldehydes with well-known odors and flavors. Pyrethrin, isolated frompyrethrum flowers, is commercially extracted for use as a natural insecticide. Natural or not, pyrethrin can cause severe allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, and other toxic effects in animals. 

At present there is insufficient reliable scientific data on the adverse effects of food additives in humans but there is much public concern and many anecdotal reports of problems relating to food additives, particularly allergic reactions. The extent of intolerance to food additives in the population at large is, however, only around 3 in 10,000 or, to be more precise, 0.026 per cent). Most of the data available refers to patients who have symptoms such as skin rashes (urticaria). Some of the studies carried out have, however, highlighted certain effects and the same food additives appear to feature in the reports tartrazine and benzoic acid are the most common offenders, especially in relation to h5q>eractivity in children. There may also be cross-reactivity, where an additive causes an effect in a person who has been sensitized by another additive. This can occur between additives and naturally occurring food constituents, for... 

However, a range of foreign proteins, which are potential antigens, are present in the diet and are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The immune systems of most individuals become tolerant via a regulatory system which prevents adverse reactions to food constituents and additives. However some individuals seem predisposed to allergic diseases and do not become tolerant and so may develop adverse reactions to dietary constituents. It is possible that the interaction of a breakdown product of tartrazine with a protein in the body could be sufficient to cause an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals. 

L. Juhlin, Intolerance to food and drug additives , in A. L. Week and H. Bundgaard (eds.). Allergic Reactions to Drugs, Berlin, Springer Verlag, 1983. 

The results of the extensive intake evaluations in the United States and in other countries demonstrated that intakes which were well below the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and regulatory bodies in other countries, as well as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JFECFA). The studies have also included evaluations of possible associations between aspartame and headaches, seizures, behavior, cognition, and mood as well as allergic-type reactions and use by potentially sensitive subpopulations, has continued after approval. Evaluation of the anecdotal reports of adverse health effects were the first ones done for a food additive, and revealed that the reported effects were generally mild and also common in the general population. 

Food dyes, especially the artificial ones ( 1.4), are probably the most controversial gronp of food additives. The proven risk of allergic htrman reactions to these substances is seldom larger than for other substances, but their urmecessary use should no donbt be avoided blue triple sec, green ketchup, or soft drinks containing 8-10 % of orange, cherry or other fruit are made more attractive by dyes. However, natural substances may also be problematic, and some of them are banned today. 

Tylosin is a macrolide antibiotic used to combat swine dysentery in pigs and respiratory infections in poultry in the U.K. Tylosin can produce both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis [171]. Cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis due to the macrolide spiramycin and tylosin have been reported in hog farmers and veterinarians [172, 173]. Allergic contact dermatitis to virginiamycin, a food additive for pigs and poultry, has also been reported [174]. Veien patch-tested 180 farmers to 5% virginiamycin in petrolatum but obtained no positive reactions [161]. 

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