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Ex-Wrigley Workers Sue Over Exposure to Flavoring Chemicals

  • September 29, 2017

The flavoring chemical diacetyl — commonly associated with a disease called “popcorn lung” — is in the news again, this time in conjunction with lawsuits filed by former workers of the now-defunct Chicago Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., the Chicago Tribune reports. About two dozen people have joined the suit, which targets 15 companies involved in the distribution of flavoring chemicals. Wrigley isn’t specifically named in the suits, but several of the litigants worked there.

In the U.S., more than 10,000 additives are allowed in food, which includes those that are added directly to your food and those in the packaging, which can migrate to your food. These chemicals are used not to give flavors such as butter, strawberry, caramel, vanilla and butterscotch beverages, processed foods and even dairy and imitation dairy products and e-cigarettes.

Unfortunately, research shows even small amounts of these chemicals can amplify each other’s adverse effects when combined. Worse, many food additives have questionable safety profiles, since only a small percentage has ever been properly tested. This is because food additives are not automatically required to get premarket approval by the U.S. FDA.

Food preservatives like propyl parabens are widely used too — even though many are associated with potential health problems. For example, propyl paraben is an endocrine-disrupting chemical banned in the European Union, but used in about 50 foods such as tortillas, muffins, cakes and food dyes in the U.S.

Sodium benzoate is another widely used preservative in acidic foods such as salad dressings, soda, fruit juices and pickles. Yet, studies show that this chemical can cause children to become measurably more hyperactive and distractible. Again, Europe took notice and Britain issued warnings to parents to restrict children’s intake of these additives, but again, the U.S. did not.

Since the U.S. is so far behind the rest of modern society, it’s up to you to monitor these things yourself. You can do this mainly by avoiding processed foods. Or, if you do choose to buy a processed food, always read the label first. Other food additives to avoid include sodium nitrite, potassium bromate (look on your bread labels!) and artificial colors of all kinds.