NUMBER

NAME

COMMENTS

900
E900

Dimethyl polysiloxane

Silicone based water repellent, anti-foaming agent, emulsifier, anti-caking agent used in confectionary, cordials, syrups and toppings, soft drinks, instant coffee, vinegar, chewing gum, chocolates. No known effects when used in food.

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901
E901@

Beeswaxes, white & yellow

Glazing agent, used to wax fruit, confectionary, chocolate, ice cream, snack food, slow release pills, etc.  Occasionally causes allergic reactions when used in cosmetics.

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E902

Candelilla wax

Glazing agent, used to wax fruit and vegetables. Not enough research done to be conclusive. Used as substitute for Carnauba wax (903)

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903
E903

Carnauba wax

Derived from a South American palm; used in cosmetics and inks, and to wax fruit, chocolates, cocoa products, chewing gum, confectionary, flavour carrier in drinks, savoury snacks, toppings. Occasionally causes allergic reactions and possible carcinogen.

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904
E904@

Shellac

Derived from the lac insect of India; occasionally causes irritations of the skin. Used as glazing agent, chocolate, confectionary, orange fizzy drinks, orange skin, medications.

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905(a)

Mineral oil, white

Chewing gum ingredient, sealant, glazing agent, defoamer, food processing machine lubricant, protective coating on fresh vegetables and fruit, lubricant and binder for tablets and capsules. Listed as having teratogenic properties probably responsible for bowel cancer and can cause defects.

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905(b)

Petrolatum (petroleum jelly)

May contain aromatic hydrocarbons and petrolatum extracts are listed as having teratogenic properties. May inhibit absorption of fats and fat soluble vitamins, mild laxative.

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E905@

Paraffins, Microcrystalline wax

May inhibit absorption of fats and fat soluble vitamins, mild laxative, there may be a link to bowel cancer. Used on sweets, in processing yeast, vitamin tablets, dried fruit, confectionary, collagen.

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E907@

Refined microcrystalline wax

For tablet coatings, chewing gum. Polishing, release and stiffening agent. Banned in Australia. Avoid it.

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E912

Montanic acid esters

No information available. Avoid it.

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913@

Lanolin,
Hydrous wool fat

A fat like substance derived from sheep wool.  Contains 25% water as a water-in-oil emulsion and is used as an ointment base and an emollient for the skin.

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E914

Oxidized polyethylene wax

Protective coating on fruits and vegetables. Avoid it.

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920
E920@

L-Cystein monohydrochloride

Flour treatment agent derived from animal hair and chicken feathers. If from China - human hair. Used in shampoo and chicken flavouring. Aid to detoxification of many chemicals related to smoking, prevent hangovers and also prevent brain and liver damage due to alcohol consumption. Useful for rheumatoid arthritis, helps the immune system and promotes healing.  Is a known neurotoxin.

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E921@

L-Cystin

See 920.

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E924

Potassium bromate

Large quantities can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, kidney damage and failure. The WHO in 1993 said that this ingredient is no longer acceptable for use as it is a possible carcinogen.  Typically used in flour products.

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925
E925

Chlorine

Destroys nutrients, listed carcinogen, in some areas tap water is contaminated with it (most of Australia!), to make it 'safer' to drink. Typical products are flour products for bleaching, as a disinfectant, decolouriser and irritant poison.

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926
E926

Chlorine dioxide

See 925.

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E927

Azodicarbonamide

Azoformamide. Flour treatment and bleaching agent in baked goods, breads, rice, chewing gum, flour, grains.  The US FDA require further testing. Banned in Australia.  Avoid it.

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E927(b)

Carbamide

Potential allergen. Used to bleach teeth and inhibit potato sprouting.

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928
E928

Benzoyl peroxide

Approved by FDA* for bleaching the carotenoids in refined flours, cheese, milk, rice, starch.  Asthmatics and people with a history of allergies BEWARE, see also;

Benzoic Acid (210).

Also known as flowers of benzoin, phenlycarboxylic acid, carboxybenzene. Obtained from Benzoin, a resin exuded by trees native to Asia. Added to alcoholic beverages, baked goods, cheeses, gum, condiments, frozen dairy, relishes, soft sweets, cordials and sugar substitutes. Used in cosmetics, as an antiseptic in many cough medications and an antifungal in ointments; can cause asthma, especially in those dependant on steroid asthma medications. Is also reputed to cause neurological disorders and to react with sulphur bisulphite (222), shown to provoke hyperactivity in children and can cause asthma in those dependant on steroid asthma medications.

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E931

Nitrogen

Used in freezing and vacuum packing. Antioxidant. Seems safe.

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E932

Nitrous oxide

Laughing gas Seems quite safe in small quantities, liver, kidney disease, cancer from long exposure. Used for bleaching flour and a whipping agent.

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E938

Argon

Used in welding. Inert gas. Seems safe.

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E939

Helium

Seems safe.

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941
E941

Nitrogen

Antioxidant. Used in freezing and vacuum packing; seems safe.

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942
E942

Nitrous oxide

Seems quite safe in small quantities. Used for bleaching flour and a whipping agent.

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E948

Oxygen

Listed as having teratogenic properties.

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950
E950

Acesulphane potassium, Acesulphane K

200 times sweeter than sugar, has a bitter after taste.  Used widely as artificial sweetener in low joule gums, drinks, diet foods, etc.  Possible carcinogen in humans, caused cancer in test animals. Suggested that it is worse than Aspartame or Saccharin. Avoid it.

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951
E951@

Aspartame

Artificial sweetener, too many adverse effects possible to list 92 documented!, Some people are allergic to aspartame, migraine headaches are a common reaction in these people. Research currently in the USA in regard to incidence of brain tumours.

Diet drinks containing it are banned for U.S. Airforce pilots and in an pilots magazine, commercial pilots are told to avoid it. In 9,000 products from low joule to pharmaceuticals.

Avoid it.

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E952

Cyclamic acid

Calcium & sodium cyclamate, artificial sweetener; known to cause migraines and other reactions, can be carcinogenic, caused damage to rats testicles and mouse embryos in tests.
Banned in the US and UK due its links with cancer. Avoid it.

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953
E953

Isomalt,
Isomaltitol

Sugar substitute and humectant. Suitable for diabetics as it does not have a significant affect on blood glucose or serum insulin levels. Can cause softer than normal stool and intestinal gas.  Not permitted in infant foods.  Not listed for use in Australia.

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954
E954

Saccharine

Calcium & sodium saccharin; artificial sweetener derived from toluene (a known carcinogen). Not listed in Australia by number until 1992. Banned in 1977 in the US, but reinstated subject to strict labelling stating: "Use of this product may be hazardous to your health, this product contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals". It interferes with normal blood coagulation, blood sugar levels and digestive function.

Banned in France, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Spain.  Banned as food additive in Malaysia and Zimbabwe.  Banned as a beverage additive in Fiji, Israel, Peru, and Taiwan.

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955

Sucralose
(trichlorogalactosucrose)

Artificial sweetener 600 times sweeter than sugar. Not listed in Australia prior to 1992.  Found under the brand name of "Splenda".  In animal test before being accepted in Australia, they showed detrimental effects to the thalamus glands, liver and kidney enlargement, and renal mineralisation.

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956

Alitame

Artificial sweetener 2000 times sweeter than sugar. Not listed in Australia prior to 1992.  Current research suggests that it is safe.  Not endorsed for use in the USA.

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957
E957

Thaumatin

Artificial sweetener and flour enhancer. A protein derived from the tropical plant Thaumococcus danielli; used to sweeten wines, chewing gum, Japanese cooking, bread and fruit.  Has a liquorice after taste.

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E959

Neohesperidine DC

Artificial sweetener 340 times sweeter than sugar from grapefruit seed. Not listed for use in Australia, but may be imported with foods. Little research on effects but is used in a large range of foods.

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965
E965

Maltitol,
Hydrogenated glucose syrup

Humectant, artificial sweetener base, bulking agent, base for essences. Starch decomposed with digestive enzymes. In some of 953, plus used in confectionery, dried fruits, low-joule foods, chocolate, jam, ice cream; laxative in high concentrations.

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966
E966

Lactitol

Humectant, sweetener. A sugar alcohol in calorie controlled foods. Laxative in high concentrations of over 20g per day.

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967
E967

Xylitol

Humectant, artificial sweetener, stabiliser, bulking agent, sugar substitute. Found in raspberries, plums, lettuce and endives, though produced for commercial purposes from wood pulp; caused kidney stones and a diuretic effect on test rats, "a waste of time and the lives of the rats", for the JEFCA in 1983 ruled the tests invalid in relation to humans, the symptoms caused by 'physiological disturbances' in the rats!, we can only imagine what conditions led to upset rats. Used in low-joule foods and carbohydrate modified sweets, ice-cream chocolate, and jams; laxative in high concentrations.

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E999

Quillaia extract

used in the production of foam on non-alcoholic beverages. Use is banned in a number of countries. Used medically as a stimulating expectorant.

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1001

Choline salts and esters

Emulsifier. Used in the treatment of Autism as it improves brain function and circulation to the brain.

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1100@

Amylase

Derived from mould mushroom or pig pancreas. Flour treatment agent. No adverse effects have been reported.

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1101

Protease's
(Papain, bromelain, ficin)

Stabiliser, flavour enhancer, flour treatment agent, meat tenderiser and used in alcoholic beverages. Some are known to be possible teratogenic in nature.

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1102

Glucose oxidase

Anti-oxidant. Little information known at this time.

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E1103

Invertase

Derived from honey.

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1104

Lipases

See Glycerol (E455). Flavour enhancer.

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1105
E1105

Lysozyme

Anti-bacterial preservative. Found in human milk and a number of other species.

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1200
E1200

Polydextrose

1201
E1201

Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Made from formaldehyde - supposed to be inert and non-toxic.  Excess may cause damage to the lungs or kidneys, gas and faecal impaction. Dispersing agent, colour stabiliser. Coating for tablets; used in artificial sweeteners in low joule foods and chewing gum. Carcinogenic. `

Avoid it.

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1202

Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
(PPVP)

Clarifying agent for wine, beer and vinegar; colour and colloidal stabiliser, almost completely unabsorbed when taken orally. Artificial sweetener .  May cause damage to kidneys and stay in the system for up to a year. Avoid it.

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1400

Dextrin roasted starch

Thickener, vegetable gum, foam stabiliser in beer, artificial sweetener base from tapioca or corn. No known adverse effects, but not fully evaluated for safety.  Foods are made more digestible to babies but the chemicals to create may be harmful to them.

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1401

Acid treated starch

Thickener, vegetable gum. No known adverse effects.  See 1400.

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1402

Alkaline treated starch

Thickener, vegetable gum. No known adverse effects.  See 1400.

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1403

Bleached starch

Thickener, vegetable gum which may be bleached with sulphur dioxide (one of a choice), which is dangerous to asthmatics.  Used in baby food, jelly type sweets, wine gums, batter mixes - wide range off foods.  Further testing required.  See 1400.

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1404
E1404

Oxidised starch

Thickener, vegetable gum which is bleached with possible sulphur dioxide residue, which is dangerous to asthmatics.  See 1403.  Further testing required.  See 1400.

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1405

Enzyme treated starch

Occurs naturally in the body.  Thickener, vegetable gum in baby foods.  May or may not be used in Australia.  No known adverse effects.  See 1400.

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1410
E1410

Mono starch phosphate

Thickener, vegetable gum. No known adverse effects, further testing required.  See 1400.

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1412
E1412

Distarch phosphate

Thickener, vegetable gum used in baby food, carbohydrate modified foods, starch.  Not recommended for infant formulas. No known adverse effects, further testing required.  See 1400.

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1413
E1413

Phosphated distarch phosphate

No known adverse effects, further testing required.  Prepared for baby foods, frozen foods, refrigerated sweets, soy and other infant formula.  Babies should not be given soy products.  See 1400.

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1414
E1414

Acetylated distarch phosphate

Thickener, vegetable gum for food in cans: thin soups, foods and cereals for young children, soy and other infant formula.  Babies should not be given soy products.  No known adverse effects at low levels, further testing required.  See 1400.

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1420
E1420

Acetylated starch

Thickener, vegetable gum in iced lollies, confectionary, yoghurts, egg white mix, fruit flavoured fillings. No known adverse effects, further testing required.  See 1400.

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1421

Starch acetate esterfied with vinyl acetate

Thickener, vegetable gum. No known adverse effects.  See 1400 and 1420.

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1422
E1422

Acelylated distarch adipate

Thickener, vegetable gum to give improved 'mouth feel' in a wide range of foods such as relishes and pickles, fruit pies and fillings, baby food. No known adverse effects at low levels, further testing required.  See 1400.

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1440
E1440

Hydroxypropyl starch

Thickener, vegetable gum from potatoes, wheat, maize, rice, barley, or roots like cassava.  No known adverse effects, further testing required.  See 1400.

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1442
E1442

Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate

Thickener, vegetable gum in frozen products. No known adverse effects, further testing required.  See 1400 and 1422.

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1450
E1450

Starch sodium octenyl succinate

Thickener, vegetable gum where oil and water must mix in salad dressings, drink whiteners, dry drink bases, essences. No known adverse effects, further testing required.  See 1400 and 1422.

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E1451

Acetylated oxidised starch

Thickener, vegetable gum. No known adverse effects, further testing required.

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1505
E1505

Triethyl acetate or citrate

Whipping aid, thickener, vegetable gum for flavoured and sports drinks, egg white liquid or dried. Part becomes alcohol in the body.  See 1510.

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1510
E1510

Ethanol, ethyl alcohol

Alcohol. Not permitted in foods in Australia, but used in cough medicines, perfumes, mouth wash, antiseptic, hairspray as an additive carrier not listed except in alcoholic drinks. Suspected neurotoxic hazard, danger to persons with candida and allergies.  In ice creams, dessert sauces, apple cider, stews and casseroles, tomatoes and rock melon.

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E1517

Glycerol diacetate

May cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, diarrhoea, thirst, dizziness and mental confusion.

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1518
E1518@

Glycerol triacetate, triacetin

Binder for solid rocket fuels.  Fungicide, humectant and solvent derived from glycerol; used to coat fresh fruit in the US, essences, cigarette filters.

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1520
E1520

Propylene glycol

Humectant, wetting agent, dispersing agent, radiator anti-freeze, petroleum based; its glycerine like taste has made it popular for children's medications and other elixirs; used in many toothpastes, topical creams and ointments, in cosmetics, hair products and deodorants, artificial sweetener bases, liquid food colour, essences, sweetened coconut, chewing gum, chocolates.

Total recall of all medications in USA (if you still have some old ones, throw them out!) and has been linked with fatal heart attacks (when given intravenously), central nervous system depression and cosmetic or pharmaceutical contact dermatitis. Suspected as a neurotoxic hazard. Material Data Safety Sheets recommend not have dermal contact, wear rubber gloves.

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1521

Polyethylene glycerol 8000

Artificial sweetener, anti-foaming agent. Known to cause renal failure in burns victims.

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