Common causes of negative food reactions
- Preservatives, and natural salicylates found in many fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices
- Flavour enhancers such as monosodium glutamate (MSG, flavour enhancer 621)
- Sulphites (preservatives 220 to 228), found in wine, dried fruit and some processed meats, which can trigger asthma in sensitive people
- The natural laxatives (such as sorbitol) in prunes and some other dried fruits
- Digestive diseases such as coeliac disease
- Enzyme deficiencies such as lactose intolerance
Some food reactions are psychological aversions
It’s possible for children and adults to convince themselves they have a sensitivity or intolerance to a food they believe “disagrees” with them, which is why it’s worth getting suspected reactions properly assessed.
Adverse food reactions can show up in many ways. Symptoms include:
- Stomach ache
- Headaches
- General aches and pains
- Digestive symptoms such as wind, reflux, colic, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Rapid pulse
- Hives
- Wheezing, coughing and other breathing irritation
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Mood and behaviour changes
Allergy warning: swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing or collapse after eating can be signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Use an adrenaline autoinjector if one is available and call 000 immediately. For ongoing symptoms, see your GP, who may refer you to an allergy specialist or dietitian rather than relying on unproven tests.
A list of low-concern food additives
All food additives used in Australia and New Zealand must be approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The additives below are generally considered low-concern, and many come from natural sources. Keep a check on this list, as it will be added to and updated.
- Acetylated mono- and diglycerides (emulsifiers)
- Aconitic acid (flavouring; mostly made from citric acid)
- Anthocyanins (red-violet food colour)
- Baker’s yeast glycan (thickener)
- Beta-apo-8′-carotenal (yellow, orange or red colour)
- Calcium acetate (food acid, firming agent)
- Calcium ascorbate (antioxidant preservative)
- Calcium fumarate (acidity regulator)
- Calcium glycerophosphate (mineral nutrient)
- Calcium stearate (anti-caking agent)
- Candelilla wax (glazing agent)
- Cellulose (plant fibre; thickener and emulsifier)
- Copper gluconate (mineral nutrient)
- Erythritol (sugar alcohol sweetener and humectant)
- Ethyl beta-apo-8′-carotenoate (colour)
- Fumaric acid (acidity regulator)
- Glucoamylase (food enzyme)
- Hydroxylated lecithin (emulsifier)
- Invertase (food enzyme)
- Lactitol (sweetener)
- Linden extract (flavouring)
- Locust bean gum (thickener, emulsifier)
- Lysine (amino acid nutrient)
- Lysozyme (food enzyme)
- Mallow extract (dark red colour)
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3 nutrient)
- Nitrogen (packaging gas)
- Paprika (food colour)
- Pepsin (food enzyme)
- Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (emulsifiers)
- Potassium acid tartrate, or cream of tartar (acidity regulator)
- Potassium fumarate (acidity regulator)
- Potassium stearate (defoaming agent)
- Rosehip extract (flavouring)
- Roselle (red flavouring and colour)
- Saffron (yellow-orange colour)
- Saponins (foaming agent)
- Silicon dioxide and silica aerogel (anti-caking and antifoaming agents)
- Sodium acid tartrate and sodium tartrate (acidity regulators)
- Sodium ascorbate and sodium erythorbate (antioxidants)
- Sodium ferrocyanide (anti-caking agent in salt)
- Sodium fumarate (acidity regulator)
- Sodium copper chlorophyllin (green colour)
- Sodium stearoyl lactylate (emulsifier, stabiliser)
- Squalene (nutrient additive)
- Succinic anhydride (starch-modifying agent)
- Thaumatin (natural sweetener and flavour enhancer)
- Thiamine hydrochloride and thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1 nutrients)
- Trypsin (food enzyme)
- Turmeric (yellow colour)
- Xanthan gum (thickener, emulsifier)
- Xanthophylls (yellow colour from flower petals)
Cosmetic ingredients
Some ingredients in skincare can be absorbed through the skin. These are generally considered gentle, low-concern ingredients:
- Lauroyl lysine (texture and feel)
- Squalane (lubricant, emollient)
- Rosehip oil (botanical oil)
- Shea butter (emollient)
- Pycnogenol, or pine bark extract (antioxidant)
So please read those labels! This list will keep changing, but it’s a good start in a world of so much information. Keep it in your shopping bag to refer to when you read labels.
My gift to you. x
This article is general information about food and wellbeing, not medical advice. Please talk to your GP or a qualified health professional about any health condition, medication or major change to your diet.
