E133, E210, E-wwww

junk foodHow many of us really know what’s in our food?

Celebrities, campaigns, and informative guides have all tried to help alert the public to the dangers of additives and saturated fats, yet we’re still far from the natural and organic palate most of us are striving to achieve.

In particular, E-numbers have caused a stir for a good few years now. Despite the banning of some, there are still a great many present in our everyday favorite drinks and foodstuffs: candy bars, fizzy drinks, crackers, and more.

For example, E102 (also known as ‘Tartrazine’) is used to color jams, cereals and drinks. It also happens to be banned in Norway and Austria, as it has been linked to thyroid tumours, chromosomal damage and asthma. Worrying? I certainly think so.

Not all e-numbers are harmful to the human body, though whenever I happen to come by an E-number on a product I find in the supermarket, I will still flinch, and occasionally put it back on the shelf. In addition, a great many manufacturers are phasing out their E-numbers and replacing these with natural colors and/or flavorings (Nestle Smarties being a prime example). This can only be a good thing for both manufacturer trust and consumer health.

Unfortunately, more organic foodstuffs tend to be priced higher than their ready-meal counterparts, an obvious testament to the cheap cost of mass production. Although the special offer on ready-made lasagna may seem tempting at first, remember that even though your purse won’t pay for it in the long run; but your body certainly will.

For more information regarding food and cosmetic additives, I recommend visiting Explore E-Numbers and CureZone.com for a list of E-numbers, and their associated side effects.

2 Comments on "E133, E210, E-wwww"

  1. Natalie says:
    Sat, 26th Apr 20081:52 pm 

    Except now Nestle’s Smarties taste like mud and the colours are no longer vibrant like they used to be. I understand that E numbers aren’t the best but i wish there were two versions of smarties; natural and artificial.

    I miss my artficial colourings!!

  2. Stacy Kidd says:
    Sat, 26th Apr 20083:01 pm 

    Yeah, Smarties taste quite bland now, and they don’t look very colourful at all :(

Tell us what you're thinking...




COVER STORY

Your St. Patty’s Day Survival Guide Your St. Patty’s Day Survival Guide

St. Patrick’s Day is a college student’s dream come true.  Well, I... 

Discount for Being Thin? Discount for Being Thin?

We are constantly surrounded by the epic American battle to lose weight. It’s all... 

Prom: No Lesbians Allowed Prom: No Lesbians Allowed

We all remember our senior proms.  Probably the most hyped up event of our lives... 

Read More Posts From This Category

HAHA

Single. And Impatient Single. And Impatient

Call me, dammit! OK, remember that boy I was confused about earlier this year? Yeah,... 

Duke It Out: Sexting Duke It Out: Sexting

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions.... 

Sexy Time: Rules of the Rebound Sexy Time: Rules of the Rebound

You think breakups are hard? Try rebound sex. That little activity is more difficult... 

Read More Posts From This Category
One Month Challenge: Fun with Fitness, Week 2

One Month Challenge: Fun with Fitness, Week 2

At some point this week, exercise stopped being something I had to do and started being something I wanted to do. I’m honestly not sure what changed. Maybe it was the physical pain and exhaustion I felt after Irish dancing at a pre-St. Patrick’s Day event last weekend. And then watching all my old friends performing on St. Patrick’s Day, so full of energy, making it all look so easy.