Teratogens food additives

Verrett MJ, Scott WF, Reynaldo EF, et al Tjxicity and teratogenicity of food additive chemicals in the developing chicken embryo. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 56 265-273, 1980... 

This chapter describes the regulatory toxicology studies required for the reproductive safety evaluation of food additives, with particular attention to the detection of teratogenicity. 

The rabbit is generally the non-rodent species or second species after the rat recommended by the regulatory authorities and is part of the package of regulatory reproductive studies for the detection of potential embryotoxic and/ or teratogenic effects of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food additives, and other compoimds, including vaccines (see Chapters 1-7). 

A book of interest is "Chemically Induced Birth Defects," by Schardein (ref. 6). This reference book contains data on human and animal studies on birth defects and teratogens. Drugs are covered extensively. Chemicals discussed are pesticides, metals, industrial solvents, diagnostic agents, dyes, radioactive chemicals, plastics, toxins, food additives, air-water-soil pollutants, personal chemicals, etc. 

The mutagenicity and teratogenicity of a selected number of food additives (EMIC report)... 

Precautions Highly toxic to earthworms and some fish. Poison by swallowing. Mildly toxic by breathing. An animal teratogen (abnormal fetus development). Caused reproductive effects in animal studies (infertility or sterility or birth defects). A human mutagen (changes inherited characteristics). A skin irritant. EPA was ordered by courts to revoke approval as food additive in 1992. 

Developmental Toxicity. No information is available on developmental effects of acrylonitrile in humans by any route of exposure. Acrylonitrile is teratogenic and embryotoxic in rats both by the oral and inhalation routes of exposure. Developmental studies on other animal species have not been conducted. Because species differences for acute acrylonitrile toxicity and metabolism have been demonstrated, additional developmental studies in other species using various dose levels would be valuable in evaluating the potential for acrylonitrile to cause developmental effects in humans. Because the available oral study was conducted by gavage, additional studies are needed to determine if these effects will occur following ingestion of drinking water or food. 

In addition, various treatments that simulate effects that can result from pharmaceutical treatment have been shown to cause developmental toxicity. Food deprivation can cause embryo-fetal toxicity and teratogenicity in mice (Szabo and... 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intraperitoneal route. Human systemic effects by ingestion allergic dermatitis. An experimental teratogen. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx and HCl. An additive permitted in the food and drinking water of animals and/or for the treatment of food-producing animals. 

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