Toxic substances found in vibrant Easter candies: Russian authorities warn against purchasing certain sweets during May celebrations
Hanging at the Sweets Counter:
Your eyes catch the colorful wrappers of sugary treats, your fingers twitching to grab the chocolate bunny or the glittering Easter egg. But pause asecnd, peer inside these confections. You might find more than just sweetness, warn experts.
With an enticing appearance, some candies could harbor harmful substances. Here's what experts identified lurking in these seemingly innocent treats:
- Hidden Preservatives: Like sodium benzoate (E211) and sorbic acid (E200), which can aggravate allergies and upset the stomach.
- Artificial Colors: For instance, E110, nicknamed "Sunset Yellow," deemed detrimental to children's health in Europe and requires a warning about its impact on children's activities.
- Palm Oil: Abundant in numerous sweet products, it can negatively affect health by clogging arteries.
Some ingredients can trigger undesirable behavior in children. Take the example of E124, a red dye, known to induce hyperactivity. Remember the nights your child darted around the house like a Whirlwind after munching on gummy bears? That could be the culprit.
Choosing Safe Candies:
- Label Scrutiny: Be a sleuth – scour the label for E-numbers with three-digit codes, and avoid products harboring these unwelcome additives. Fewer ingredients mean a healthier choice. Products labeled: "cocoa, sugar, lecithin" indicate a good option.
- Shelf Life Assessment: Candies with an extended shelf life (more than 6 months) often contain preservatives. Look for candies with a storage life of 1-2 months.
- Colorless Candy: If you prioritize safety, go for products labeled "Without artificial colors" or "Organic." Keep in mind, such options may be pricier, but your child's wellbeing is worth it.
What to Do When You Crave a Sweet Fix:
If supermarket candies instill doubt, create homemade confections. For example, mix melted dark chocolate with chopped dates and form into balls coated in coconut flakes. These treats taste delish, are healthier, and safer as you control the ingredients used!
Final Thoughts:
Will you invest a few moments reading a label to steer clear of hospital trips, or trust those gleaming, laughter-filled advertisements featuring kids who haven't even tasted the candy? Remember, the choice is all yours – the source concludes.
Enrichment Data:
Overall:Experts warn about several harmful substances commonly found in candies, such as:
Harmful Substances in Candies
- Artificial Food Dyes: Synthetic chemicals linked to hyperactivity, cancer risks, and behavioral issues. Common dyes include Red No. 3, Yellow No. 5 and No. 6, Blue No. 1 and No. 2, and Green No. 3[5]. They can cause symptoms like restlessness and insomnia in sensitive individuals[5].
- Titanium Dioxide: Found in some candies like Skittles, titanium dioxide has raised concerns, leading to bans in some regions. Although its direct link to cancer in humans remains unclear, consuming ultra-processed foods containing it might elevate cancer risk[1].
- Xylitol: Although uncommon in most human candies, xylitol is poisonous to dogs and could trigger a dangerous sugar crash if ingested[3].
- High Sugar and Corn Syrup Content: Candies are usually high in sugar and corn syrup, contributing to health issues like obesity and diabetes with excessive consumption.
Choosing Safer Sweets
To opt for safer candies, consumers can follow these strategies:
- Opt for Natural Ingredients: Choose candies made with natural ingredients and fewer additives. Look for products labeled "non-artificial" or "naturally colored."
- Read Labels Carefully: Understand what you consume by checking the ingredient list for known harmful substances like titanium dioxide and artificial food dyes.
- Moderation: Enjoy candies sparingly as an occasional treat to minimize exposure to harmful ingredients.
- Consider Homemade Alternatives: Preparing your own candies at home grants you control over the components, ensuring a healthier and safer option.
- Support Regulatory Changes: Advocate for policies that phase out harmful additives, as observed in the FDA's efforts to address synthetic food dyes[4].
- Some candies might contain harmful substances like sodium benzoate and sorbic acid, which can aggravate allergies and upset the stomach.
- The artificial color E110, known as "Sunset Yellow," has been deemed detrimental to children's health in Europe.
- Palm oil, common in many sweet products, can negatively affect health by clogging arteries.
- E124, a red dye, is known to induce hyperactivity in children.
- To choose safer candies, consumers can scrutinize labels for three-digit E-numbers, prioritize candies with a storage life of 1-2 months, and seek colorless or organic candies.
- If you doubt supermarket candies, creating homemade confections like chocolate-coated date balls can provide healthier, safer alternatives.
- Xylitol, while uncommon in human candies, is poisonous to dogs. Consumers should be aware of potential risks associated with consuming ultra-processed foods containing titanium dioxide, and advocate for policies that phase out harmful additives.
