The Nutrition Center states that our body does not distinguish between natural substances and synthetic substances. Therefore, you should be able to safely consume products with E-numbers. However, opinions on this differ. What are E-numbers and what effect do they have on health?
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The Trigger on 3FM
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on Dutch radio about Superfoods vs E-numbers. This discussion was heard, for example, on 3fm, but other radio stations have also discussed it. The discussion started because the Nutrition Center released a message about superfood. For example, the following article was published in the NRC: “Nutrition Center warns: don’t believe in ‘superfoods’.”
However, I do not want to discuss the superfoods debate here. I think certain superfoods can be a good addition for people who cannot always achieve a healthy and varied diet. Of course, some people may go overboard with a certain hype. But as long as some superfoods like goji berries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc., are used as supplements rather than replacing vegetables and fruits, I see little problem. I personally think these superfoods like goji berries can prevent bad snacks rather than skipping more complete meals.
The discussion on 3fm eventually moved on to E-numbers. It seemed that the Nutrition Center was strongly advocating for E-numbers.
According to its own site, the Nutrition Center is “the authority that provides consumers with scientifically substantiated and independent information about healthy, safe, and more sustainable food choices.” (Source: voedingscentrum.nl)
The E-numbers
E-numbers (additives) are substances that are supposed to “enhance” food products. Examples of these are colorants, flavor enhancers, and preservatives. The EU has established guidelines for additives that pose no danger to our health. These additives are then given a so-called E-number.
An acceptable daily intake (ADI) is determined for these substances. The ADI is the amount of a substance that you can consume every day throughout your life without it being harmful to your health, at least as far as is known according to current insights.
In the EU, a new additive only receives an E-number after it has been approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The approval of substances is based on test results in animals, looking at both short-term and long-term effects. The ADI is generally expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight. These values can therefore vary for different people since they relate to personal weight.
“Nature-identical Substances”
Nature-identical substances are synthetic substances that have the same chemical structure as natural substances. Synthetic substances are substances made in the laboratory.
It is often cheaper to produce a certain substance in the laboratory than to extract it from plants. Nature-identical substances are products made in a laboratory but have a chemical structure that also occurs in nature. These synthetic substances are then added to food products as E-numbers. For example, if you read on a label that a product does not contain artificial flavors and colors, it may still contain these nature-identical substances. This is somewhat confusing in my opinion.
The Nutrition Center states that our body does not distinguish between natural substances and synthetic substances. Therefore, you should be able to safely consume products with E-numbers.
Our body does not distinguish between natural or synthetic substances. So, they are both equally healthy and safe.
Voedingscentrum.nl
First of all, this statement is simply not true because it does not differentiate between nature-identical substances and other synthetic substances that have a new chemical structure and do not occur in nature. So, to be clear: Not all synthetic substances are nature-identical!
Even if they specifically meant nature-identical substances, there are still some objections to be made here.
Research on Harmful Effects of E-numbers
A study conducted in England suggests that certain additives can cause hyperactivity in children ranging from 3 years old to 8-9 years old [McCann]. This is likely also the case for other ages, but only children aged 3 and 8-9 years were tested in the study group. Not all children reacted with hyperactive behavior to certain additives, but on average, hyperactivity increased.
A well-known example of a non-nature-identical E-number is E-102, tartrazine, a bright yellow colorant. Tartrazine has been linked to an increased risk of hyperactivity and has received much attention as mentioned in the aforementioned study. However, a 1994 study [Rowe] forced the FDA to further investigate, to which they responded as follows (FDA):
The behavioral effects elicited by the tartrazine challenges, however, involved irritability, fidgetiness, and sleep problems which are not typically representative of hyperactivity related behaviors. Several other investigators also reported behavioral responses to color challenge that were not particularly characteristic of ADHD. (FDA Food Advisory Committee 2011b)
FDA Food Advisory Committee 2011b
Other researchers who had children make associations, for example, noted that this was worse when they were administered colorants beforehand [Swanson].
There are more studies underway trying to determine whether additives can be harmful to health. Generally, more research needs to be done to come up with solid results.
Different Types of E-numbers
There are a huge number of additives. Consequently, the list of these E-numbers is extremely long:
- From E100, colorants are displayed,
- from E200, preservatives,
- from E300, antioxidants and acidity regulators,
- from E400, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, and gelling agents,
- from E500, acidity regulators, anti-caking agents, raising agents, and firming agents,
- from E620-640, flavor enhancers, and from E900-930, glazing agents and improvers.
In addition, there are packaging gases, sweeteners, and other additives.
For flavorings, there isn’t even an EU regulation. Additionally, some colorants allowed in the EU are banned in the US. Sometimes E-numbers are fully written out on the label. However, many manufacturers choose to only display the E number because the additives often have long and difficult names.
“E” Doesn’t Stand for Easy
Lately, I have further delved into E-numbers and I intend to continue doing so. I also notice that it is a very extensive and complicated system. Moreover, it is again questionable how accurate the food labels on a product are. Often you can see what is in it, but not the quantity of a particular substance.
The Nutrition Center declares that E-numbers are safe because extensive testing has been done for harmful effects. However, it is still recommended from natural food perspectives to eat as many natural and unprocessed products as possible. E-numbers do not fit into that category.
Hopefully, more studies will be conducted soon that provide more insight into the potential harmfulness of E-numbers.
References
- voedingscentrum.nl
- Food additives and hyperactivity in children. C.S. Williamson, British Nutrition Foundation, London, UK
- http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/03/06/voedingscentrum-trap-niet-in-superfoods/
- McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, Crumpler D, Dalen L, Grimshaw K, et al. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2007;370:1560–1567.
- Swanson JM, Kinsbourne M. Food dyes impair performance of hyperactive children on a laboratory learning test. Science. 1980;207(4438):1485–1487.
- Rowe KS, Rowe KJ. Synthetic food coloring and behavior: a dose response effect in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study. J Pediatr. 1994;125(5 pt 1):691–698.
- FDA FAC (Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee) Overview and Evaluation of Proposed Association between Artificial Food Colors and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) and Problem Behaviors in Children. Interim Toxicology Review Memorandum, September 1, 2010, Attachment 4. 2011b. Available:
