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Cancer-Causing Food Coloring Used in Sausages, Burgers

The European Food Safety Authority has released a human-health warning against the food coloring E128, also known as Red 2G, citing new scientific evidence of its carcinogenicity.

E128 is a water-soluble, synthetic red azo dye. Once in the body, it converts into an oily substance called aniline.

Rats and mice injected with aniline developed cancerous tumors, leading the EFSA panel to release a statement saying, "... it cannot be excluded that aniline's carcinogenic potential is due to damage to the genetic material of the cells," and recommended that the dye should no longer be considered safe for human consumption.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland banned the additive as of July, after the release of the findings. E128 is already banned in many other countries, including Australia, Norway, Sweden and--according to Wikipedia--the United States.

The fact that the concerns about aniline's safety goes all the way back to the 1980's should tell you something about the efficiency and expediency that these food safety experts operate under...

The United States permits seven artificial food colorings in our food supply. The fact that they are permitted is not an indication of their safety, however. FD&C Red No.3 - Erythrosine, E127 (Pink shade), for example, is linked to thyroid tumors in rats.

Do what you can to eliminate products containing artificial food colorings--and all other synthetic chemical food additives--from your diet, which means the majority of fast foods, junk foods, and processed pre-packaged foods. If you need a kick-start, try my recommendations in How to Spring Clean Your Body.

EFSA Announcement July 9, 2007

BBC News July 10, 2007

RTE News July 10, 2007





 
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Comment on This Article Community Comments (11)
 
 
Posted On Jul 10, 2007
CONSUME NOTHING WITH ANY FOOD COLORING IN IT!!!

FD&C colorings are ALL cancer causing at any consumption level!!!

If you ever saw the inside of a food coloring plant, you's never eat most any processed branded product using them again...makes Upton Sinclair's THE JUNGLE read like a nice nursery story.

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
 
 
Posted On Jul 10, 2007
Well, if we are all followers of Dr. Mercola, than we definitely know better than to eat sausages or processed burgers.  But there are those out there who have no clue.  I recently met a friend for dinner at a local chain steakhouse.  A couple of reasons why I'll never go back there are the fact that they serve this nice "homemade" bread with margarine (eww); and the hot sauce on the table, that I was using to drown out the processed flavor of the "filet mignion" had all this artificial crap in it including red dye.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't hot chili peppers red?  Eat smart.  Eat unprocessed foods. ;)

 
The New Christine
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
The New Christine  
Replied

cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
not all peppers are red. there is yellow, red, green, orange, purple, black.

 
 
 
Posted On Jul 11, 2007
I was thinking, "beets have a wonderful red color.  Why can't they use . . . " and THEN i thought, "Why on earth do they need to color it anyway?"  If it is so bad they have to color it to make it appealing to the population, something is wrong here.  But WE all know that, it is getting the info to the rest of the world.

 
Katee Roux
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 7/2007
Katee Roux  
Replied

Pwyll
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 2/2007
Pwyll  
 
Posted On Jul 11, 2007
Yes--same thought went through my mind--and...I do use a drop or two of beet juice for the hummingbird feeder--for a little extra 'draw' power!


cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
see  most of the population are looking for that bright red color in there beef,or pink fish ect.it is sad that the food mongers have to inject food coloring toi sell food!

 
 
 
Posted On Jul 10, 2007
How about the fact that this chemical is banned in the US? The makers of red2G must have really ticked off the FDA. Or it must not have been as toxic and cost effective as the red dyes used in this country therefore it did not make the cut for approval.
Sorry, I must have my sassy pants on today.

 
phooey
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 2/2007
phooey  
 
 
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
Wasn't Red food dye banned back in the 60's or 70's, because I remember something like it was brought back when MM's starting using Red dye again??

 
helpingheart
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
helpingheart  
 
 
 
 
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