Advice and recommendations on “free from” foods and drinks for those looking to avoid certain ingredients and chemicals.
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 […]
Which Types of Meat Are Nitrate-Free in the UK? Read More »
Injecting cows with synthetic hormones to increase milk production is currently banned in the UK, so British milk doesn’t contain additional hormones. However, cow’s milk does contain some hormones naturally, so milk is never completely hormone free. What Is Bovine Growth Hormone? Bovine somatotropin (bST), also known as bovine growth hormone, is a protein hormone
Does UK Milk Contain Hormones? Read More »
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,
What Additives Are There in UK Bread? Read More »
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
Is White Bread Bleached in the UK? Read More »
Many of us love to unwind at the end of a busy, stressful day with a glass of wine, and there’s evidence to suggest that moderate consumption of wine can actually be good for us. Wine contains antioxidants known as polyphenols, which are said to protect our bodies against heart disease and cancer. Unfortunately, it’s
Guide to Natural & Sulphite-Free Wine in the UK Read More »
Most people don’t realise that chewing gum contains plastic. But we’re not talking about the wrapper or the fancy plastic packaging that many brands use these days. We’re talking about the chewing gum itself. So, what do we need to know about the plastic in chewing gum? Is it adding to the global plastic pollution
Does Chewing Gum Contain Plastic? Read More »
Phthalates are everywhere. These xenoestrogenic chemicals are found in practically everything we use on a regular basis. According to some studies they can be detected in the urine of around 95% of the global population. Scary statistics, as I’m sure you’ll agree. Linked to all kinds of health issues including endocrine disorders, birth defects and
List of Products Containing Phthalates Read More »
Phthalates are chemicals found in plastics to increase their flexibility and durability. They are used in a range of everyday items including personal-care products and cosmetics, shampoos, clothes, garden toys, and detergents. The use of some plastics containing phthalates to make children’s toys have now been banned because of their harmful effects. These chemicals are
Which Foods Are High in Phthalates? Read More »
Did you know that your regular cosmetics could contain certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals called ‘parabens’ which could be irritating your skin, disrupting your hormones, increasing cancer-risk and even harming the health of your unborn children? Unfortunately, these parabens are everywhere. They’re used as preservatives in almost all mainstream cosmetic products like shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, moisturisers, shower
List of Parabens to Avoid Read More »
BPA (bisphenol-A) is a chemical often found in plastics, but lesser known is the fact that it can be found in a range of other objects, including tin cans. Widely used in plastic food packaging, BPA, also known as bisphenol-A, is also used in food and drinks cans as a sealant. Metal cans may corrode
Are Cans BPA-Free in the UK? Read More »
