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Consumer Views on Health Issues Arising from Food Products
Published in Megh R. Goyal, Preeti Birwal, Santosh K. Mishra, Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants in Food Design, 2022
Harita R. Desai, Murlidhar Meghwal
The colorant Tartarazine (E102: an azo dye by nature) has been frequently used in beverage industry. The reduction of this dye in the intestine and liver causes production of antigenic compounds by metabolism. The observed reactions for this dye are asthma, urticarial, and rhinitis. An interaction study of the dye in 122 patients @ 50 mg evoked adverse reactions, such as palpitation, weakness, heat sensation, suffocation, urticarial, pruritus, and rhinorrhea. The dye has also been frequently associated with hyperactivity in children. The possible mechanism for the adverse event has been chelation of zinc metal by the dye, causing zinc depletion [35]. Few examples are as follows: Amaranth (E123): Toxicity studies of Amaranth (E123) in laboratory animals have been found to exhibit cancer, birth defects, sterility, fetal deaths, etc. [58].Caramel (E150): It has been widely used as a coloring agent in Cola drinks industry, alcohol industry, and in several food products such as crisps, breads, and sauces. The presence of 4-methylimidazole has been associated with convulsions, inhibition of absorption of vitamin B6 and fluctuations in levels of white blood cells in toxicity studies in rats, mice, and chicks [16].Curcumin (E100): Use of Curcumin E100 in flour confectionary, margarine, etc. has been linked to the bacterial mutations. Toxicity and interaction studies at high doses in pigs have shown severe incidences of thyroid damage [114].Erythrosine (E127): Use of Erythrosine (E127) as a coloring agent in sweets and confectionaries exhibited inhibitory action in neurotransmitters and reduced dopamine turnover leading to hyperactivity in children. Erythrosine use has shown carcinogenicity in lab animals [37].Sunset Yellow (E110): An administration of biscuits containing Sunset Yellow (E110) to laboratory rats has been associated with renal and adrenal damages and carcinogenic outcomes [113].
Genotoxic effects of 4-methylimidazole on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro
Published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2018
4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI) is greatly used in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, also, the substance is extensively found in many human and animal foods. The concentration of the 4-MEI in plasma and milk of the dairy cow fed from ammoniated forage containing 4-MEI is 0.28 μg/g and 2.7 μg/g, respectively (OEHHA, 2011a). The 4-MEI is found in natural dyes during the ammonia and ammonia-sulfite caramelization process (Maillard reaction) of carbohydrates. Caramel colors of foods have been grouped into 4 classes by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and the European Union Scientific Committee for Food (Müller et al., 1998).
Evaluation of two in silico programs for predicting mutagenicity and carcinogenicity potential for 4-methylimidazole (4-MeI) and known metabolites
Published in Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, 2020
Angela S. Howard, Neepa Choksi
4-Methylimidazole (4-MeI) is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic that may be formed by reaction between ammonia and reducing sugars (Vollmuth 2018). 4-MeI has been used in the manufacture of chemicals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, it may be formed via cooking a variety of foods, including coffee and soy sauce. It also is present in two types of caramel colors (class III and IV) that are used in several products including dark beer, baked goods, soft drinks, and cereals (Folmer et al. 2018; Vollmuth 2018).