Additives
There are a large number of additives used in our food supply that help preserve our food, as well as medications!. Many are very simple such as sodium bicarbonate, citric acid or even salt but others can cause some issues if you have a food chemical sensitivity.
There are over 300 additives approved for use in Australia and only a small number of these are found to be a problem for some sensitive people (see below).​
About 5% of adults are sensitive to one or more food additives.​In Australia, additives have to be listed by law on the food label by name or number.
Additives that are avoided on the Low Chemical Elimination Diet:​
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ARTIFICIAL COLOURS:
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Yellow: 102, 104, 110
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Red: 122-129
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Blue: 132-133
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Green: 142-143
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Black: 151
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Brown: 155
NATURAL COLOUR: Annatto: 160b (160a is ok)
ARTIFICIAL PRESEVATIVES:
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Sorbates (200-203)
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Benzoates (210-213, 216, 218, PABA)
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Sulphites (220-225, 228)
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Nitrates (249-252)
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Propionates (280-283)
ARTIFICIAL ANTIOXIDANTS: 310-312, 319-321, 'natural antioxidant', 'herb', 'rosemary'
FLAVOUR ENHANCERS: glutamates (620-625), others (627, 63, 636-637, 640-641)
​Reactions to food additives can be easier to pinpoint than reactions to salicylates, amines or glutamates due to the comparatively higher levels of food additives used.
You can find these additives in such a variety of foods, such as wraps, gluten free foods, dips, cottage cheese, savoury snack foods (think flavoured chips and flavoured corn chips), lollies and in many medications.
Some people may just have issues with some (likely not all) the additives above but not react to salicylates, amines and glutamates in foods, but many have a combination of issues across these naturally occurring food chemicals.
Read more about histamines (amines), salicylates and glutamates to see what resonates with you.
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​JOIN THE COMMUNITY: BRAND NEW Dietitian led Facebook group: Amines, Salicylates and Glutamates: The Food Intolerance Dietitian for great information and community support.