[Food additives as a cause of medical symptoms: relationship shown between sulfites and asthma and anaphylaxis; results of a literature review].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine if a causal connection exists between food additives and various medical complaints.

DESIGN:

Literature study.

METHOD:

Medline over the period January 1966-January 1999 was searched for articles on the following substances not containing protein and lactose: monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites, azo-dyes (tartrazine, sunset yellow, azorubin, amarant, cochineal red), benzoates, sorbates, butylated hydroxyanisole/butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA/BHT), parabens, cinnamon and vanilla, in combination with key words regarding food and side effects. Of those studies purporting to demonstrate an effect, only double-blind randomized placebo-controlled studies with oral challenge were assessed further, unless the complaint was anaphylaxis. Of studies not demonstrating an effect the design was assessed.

RESULTS:

Only for sulfites as causative agents of asthma and anaphylaxis, methodologically adequate studies demonstrating a causal connection could be found. For azo-dyes, benzoates, MSG, sorbates and BHA/BHT, no link with medical symptoms was demonstrable. For parabens, cinnamon and vanilla there were insufficient or inadequate data to justify a conclusion.

• Authors: K E Reus, G F Houben, M Stam, A E Dubois
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 144 Issue 38 Pg. 1836-9 (Sep 16 2000) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Voedseladditieven als oorzaak van medische klachten: alleen voor sulfiet verband met astma en anafylaxie aangetoond; resultaten van een literatuuronderzoek.
• PMID: 11020839 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Food Additives
• Sulfites

Topics

• Anaphylaxis (chemically induced)
• Asthma (chemically induced)
• Double-Blind Method
• Food Additives (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Sulfites (adverse effects)