Bisphenol A, better known as BPA, is an industrial synthetic chemical usually founds in plastics, including plastic food packaging. However, a lesser-known use of BPA is in metal food and drink cans. Epoxy resins that contain BPA coat the inside of these cans and act as a sealant, preventing the contents inside the tin from …
Growth hormones are used in cattle in many parts of the world. Using hormones in meat production can make an animal more valuable by increasing the amount of lean muscle and reducing the amount of fats. Hormone-treated animals also require less food to maintain the same muscle mass due to hormonal treatment, so they are …
Food additives serve an essential role in the food industry. They can help to preserve food or improve its flavour, colour, or texture. However, some food additives are potentially hazardous, and you might consider eliminating them from your diet. Two such potentially dangerous additives are butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydrizyttiluene (BHT). Both of these …
Anyone passionate about understanding the chemicals in their food has probably come across the ingredient propylene glycol. This is an extremely common food additive that is legal in the United Kingdom. But what foods contain propylene glycol in the UK? Why is this compound added to food? And is propylene glycol safe to eat? This …
Nitrates are usually associated with fertilisers, but did you know that nitrates are also found in food? Nitrates are mainly known for their presence in processed meats since scientists and politicians called for a UK ban on nitrates in bacon and ham in 2018 due to potential carcinogenic properties. But are nitrates still present in …
E129 is an artificial colour best known as allura red. It is used as a food dye and is popular worldwide, especially for its use in sweets and soft drinks. As with many artificial food additives, you might be wondering if E129 is banned in the UK. Here we look closely at the legalities of …
Also known as E927a, the chemical azodicarbonamide (ADA) is a food additive used to bleach flour and enhance the elasticity of dough used for baking bread. Putting chemicals in food to improve texture or alter the food’s colour sounds like it could be dangerous. Therefore, many of us want to know whether azodicarbonamide is genuinely …
Bread is one of the most commonly consumed foods in the United Kingdom. We have toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, croutons in salads, and garlic bread with our dinner. However, bread can be a highly processed food! Therefore, many people are curious about what actually goes into a loaf of bread. Or, more specifically, …
Many of us consider brown bread a healthier alternative to white bread. Wholemeal bread contains four times the amount of fibre, twice as much iron, and many essential B-group vitamins as its white bread counterpart. But rumour has it that white bread is a poorer choice not solely due to these nutritional differences, but also …
Carrageenan is a thickening agent, gelling agent, and stabiliser used in some food products. It is a natural food substance harvested from red and purple seaweed. However, this natural product is often confused with degraded carrageenan, which carries substantial health risks. Many people are left confused about the safety and legalities of this additive. So, …
