Intolerance to food additives

Calcium propionate (282), benzoic acid (210), sunset yellow (110) and tartrazine (102) are food additives that have been safely used in the food supply around the world for many decades.

These additives are useful for preserving food or for colouring food. For example calcium propionate’s main use is to prevent bread going mouldy, especially in humid climates.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has approved their use as safe, as have other food regulatory authorities around the world.

Some adults and children may have food intolerances to foods and food additives and FSANZ recommends that if people are concerned about a suspected intolerance they should seek medical advice.

So that people who have an intolerance can avoid them, the presence of these additives must be indicated on the food label either by name or by their internationally recognised code number, for example calcium propionate’s number 282.

FSANZ is always interested in new scientific studies and can review any food standard in the light of updated scientific evidence.

 

July 2004