Some of them appear to stem fromallergieswhile many others appear to be anintoleranceorsensitivity.
Reports of reactions to food additives are mainly to do with skin, digestion, and breathing.
Various seemingly unrelated foods might, in fact, have common ingredients, such as colorings or preservatives.
Verywell / Zorica Lakonic
Many food additives are synthetic, and testing for such substances is not possible or reliable.
You may want to try a preservative-free diet to see if it resolves your symptoms.
Problematic Food Additives
Nine particular food additives are the most common causes of allergic or adverse reactions.
Tartrazine
Also known as FD&C Yellow No.
Recent studies have disproven the thought that aspirin-allergic asthmatics were especially sensitive to tartrazine.
Other studies suggest a role of tartrazine as worsening atopic dermatitis.
The FDA says tartrazine can cause hives in approximately one in 10,000 people or fewer.
This coloring is also found in various cosmetics, drinks, red yogurt, and popsicles.
Reactions to carmine include anaphylaxis and occupational asthma and are probably due to allergic antibodies.
This additive has been found to cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, hives, andangioedema.
Both BHA and BHT are suspected of causing hives and angioedema.
Gums:Various gums are used as food additives and function as emulsifiers and stabilizers.
Major gums include guar, tragacanth, xanthan,carrageenan, acacia (Arabic), and locust bean.
Many gums are known to worsen asthma, particularly in the occupational setting, when airborne.
Others are known to cause allergic reactions when present in foods.
Guar gum can cause severe anaphylaxis.
Aspartame
Aspartame is a sweetener used in many sugar-free foods and drinks.
Sulfites can also cause anaphylaxis in a small number of people.
Sulfites cause little to no problems in most people without allergies andasthma, even when large amounts are consumed.
Treatment
Many reactions to food additives are mild and resolve without treatment.
More severe reactionsincluding urticaria,angioedema, worsening asthma, and anaphylaxismay require immediate medical attention.
These reactions are treated much the same way as other food allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
BHA and BHT are antioxidants that help preserve the fat content in food.
They are often found in processed foods.
Research is still being done on the effects of aspartame.
Food additives like MSG can cause diarrhea in some people.
Those with a food intolerance to MSG can experience this effect a few hours after eating.
Other symptoms of the intolerance can include stomach pain, bloating, gassiness, skin rash, and itchiness.
Yes, it is possible to have a guar gum allergy.
This additive has been associated with worsened asthma in some people.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Food additives & petitions.
Singh RL, Mondal S, eds.Food Safety and Human Health.
Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier; 2019.
Food Allergy Research & Education.Blood tests.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter.Adverse reactions to food additives.
Smolinske, SC.CRC Handbook of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Excipients.
University of Michigan.Food dye can cause severe allergic reactions.
Myles IA, Beakes D. AnAllergy to goldfish?
Highlighting the labeling laws for food additives.World Allergy Organ J. Saha D, Bhattacharya S.Hydrocolloids as thickening and gelling agents in food: A critical review.J Food Sci Technol.
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.Spices and herbs.
Chen JL, Bahna SL.Spice allergy.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.
National Center for Biotechnology Information.
PubChem.Annotation Record for , 2,6-DI-T-BUTYL-P-CRESOL, Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB).
Czarnecka K, Pilarz A, Rogut A, et al.Aspartametrue or false?
Narrative review of safety analysis of general use in products.Nutrients.
2021;13(6):1957. doi:10.3390/nu13061957
National Health Service.Food intolerance.
Skypala IJ.Food-induced anaphylaxis: Role of hidden allergens and cofactors.Front Immunol.
2019;10:673. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00673
Simon RA.Allergic and asthmatic reactions to food additives.
Vally H, Misso NL.Adverse reactions to the sulphite additives.Gastroenterology and Hepatology From Bed to Bench.
2012;5(1):16-23.
