Tartrazine — toxicity, side effects, diseases and environmental impacts - Ταρτραζίνη - τοξικότητα, παρενέργειες, ασθένειες και περιβαλλοντικές
επιπτώσεις
Tartrazine is an azo dye, which is a chemical
compound where two hydrocarbon groups are joined by two nitrogen atoms. All
dyes that are used in food and textile industries are around 60 to 70 percent
azo dyes, because production of azo dyes is inexpensive. Azo dyes are also more
stable than most natural food dyes. The compounds used in the production of
tartrazine can be extracted from coal tar, which is an asphalt derivative.
Tartrazine is used to give foods a bright lemon yellow color. It can also be
used together with blue and green dyes to color food different shades of green.
The use of this dye is banned in Austria and Norway, yet it is still used
freely in the United States. Some European countries have issued warnings about
the possible side effects of the dye.
Tartrazine is also known as food
yellow 4, F&DC yellow dye 5, E102, CI 19140, and acid yellow 23. It has the
chemical formula of C16H9N4Na3O9S2.
List of known side effects
Tartrazine has a few known side effects in humans. It
may cause allergic reactions to some people, specifically those with asthma or
aspirin intolerance. Its symptoms include hives and swelling of the lips,
tongue, throat, and neck. In the United Kingdom, warnings about specific food
dyes, which include tartrazine, were issued in 2008 because of their potential
side effects. The synthetic food dye was found to cause changes in the behavior
of children, such as loss of concentration and hyperactivity, when combined
with benzoic acid (E210). In addition, consumption of the dye may result in
chromosomal damage, although further research is needed to verify this claim.
Tartrazine has also been associated with some other health problems, such as
blurred vision, itching, rhinitis, purple skin patches, migraines, fatigue, and
anxiety.
Body
systems affected by tartrazine
Tartrazine affects several body systems. This
artificial food dye may cause adverse effects to the integumentary system as it
may stimulate allergic skin reactions. It may also be harmful to the
respiratory system if inhaled. It may cause allergy, symptoms of asthma, or
breathing difficulties.
Items that
can contain tartrazine
According to Delishably.com, tartrazine is present in
food products such as cubed or powdered chicken broth, breakfast cereals,
jello, kool aid, pasta, pancake mix, frosting, pickles, macaroni and cheese,
creamy orange cheeses, yogurt, butter and margarine, ice cream, popsicles,
sodas, alcohol mixers and several beers, boxed dinners, flavored milk, and
orange-colored chips. This dye may also be found in vitamins and personal care
products such as hand soap, shampoo, shaving cream, mouthwash, body wash,
salves, toothpaste, conditioner, and moisturizers.
How to
avoid tartrazine
According to an entry in HealthLine.com, one way to
avoid food dyes like tartrazine is to carefully check the label of the product
you are about to consume. With every product you buy, be very cautious in
reading the ingredient list. If you are uncertain whether a food or medicine
contains this chemical or not, it is better to contact the manufacturer to
verify or just simply avoid it.
Other ways to avoid food dyes, such as tartrazine, is
to reduce your consumption of processed foods, as the more highly-processed the
food, the more dyes are needed. Picking naturally-colored foods over
artificially-colored ones is also another way to avoid consuming tartrazine.
Moreover, avoid any ingredient that has a number in its name. Replacing your
food and personal hygiene products with dye-free alternatives is also a way to
avoid tartrazine.
Summary
Tartrazine is an azo dye that is used to give foods and
non-food products a bright lemon yellow color. This artificial food coloring is
banned in Austria and Norway, but is still used freely in the U.S. Some
European countries have issued warnings about the possible side effects of the
dye.
Tartrazine can cause allergic reactions to some people,
specifically those with asthma or aspirin intolerance, hives, swelling of the
lips, tongue, throat, and neck, and loss of concentration and hyperactivity in
children.
Tartrazine can also cause blurred vision, itching,
rhinitis, purple skin patches, migraines, fatigue, and anxiety.
Tartrazine
can harm the skin and respiratory system.
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